Lena Smith

Lena Smith, 87, of 207 Poplar Street, Carlsbad, New Mexico, passed away July 7, 2011 at Lakeview Christian Home. Visitation will be Wednesday, July 13, 2011, 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, at Denton-Wood Funeral Home. Funeral services are scheduled for Thursday, July 14, 2011, 2:00 PM, at Blodgett Street Baptist Church, 1500 W. Blodgett Street, with Rev. Bobby W. Fuller, Pastor Dave Prell and Rev. Randy Land officiating. Interment will follow in Sunset Gardens Memorial Park, Carlsbad, New Mexico. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Lena Smith was born August 7, 1923, to George Addison and Nancy Elizabeth (Gabbard) Rice. She grew up in Oklahoma and attended school there. On November 18, 1939 she married Eugene Smith (Gene) and following WWII they moved to Carlsbad, New Mexico. She loved being a wife and mother. When the children were older, she went to work for Carlsbad Caverns for seven years. She also worked for Dimples Restaurant before opening her own; Lena's Drive Inn. After she closed the drive inn, she provided daycare for her grandchildren. She was also involved with volunteer work and was a foster parent for two boys. She was a member of The Cactus Club at The Living Desert, Horticulture Society, Blodgett Street Baptist Church and Senior Adult Choir at Blodgett Street Baptist Church. Her hobbies included singing, crocheting, quilting and ball point painting. Survivors include her sons: Orville Smith and wife, Sharon of Ardmore, Oklahoma, Dale Smith and wife, Judy of Carlsbad, New Mexico and Robert Lynn Smith, Sr. and wife, Raelene of Carlsbad, New Mexico; 10 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; several great-great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; brother: George Rice, Jr., and wife Martha of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Pallbearers will be Lyndall Smith, Robert Lynn Smith, Jr., Allen Hefner, Greg Smith, Cooper Smith, Captain Jeremy Hefner and Kennith Dale Smith. Should friends desire; memorials might be made to Baptist Children's Home, P.O. Box 629, Portales, NM 88130, or Gideons International, P.O. Box 140800, Nashville, Tennessee 37214. Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com.