Madelyn Joyce (Cripps) Smith

1945-2021

Our sweet mother, Madelyn Joyce (Cripps) Smith passed away on June 28th, 2021, in Glendale Arizona surrounded by her three daughters.  What a tender mercy it was for her to wait for their arrival minutes before she passed away.  What a testament of her love and devotion to family!

Madelyn was born April 21,1945, in San Bernardino, California to Phyllis Holladay and Harold E. Cripps.  She was the eldest of seven children and spent her childhood in Southern California, where she graduated from San Bernardino High School as the salutatorian.  She loved learning and earned two baccalaureate degrees and a Master's Degree in Education.  When she was 19 years old, she met the love of her life, Walter Ronal Smith, Jr. They were sealed in the Los Angeles Temple July 9, 1965. This was the beginning of a companionship full of love and service devoted to the gospel of Jesus Christ and family.

Ron and Madelyn spent the first years of their marriage in Southern California, where Ron worked as a Civil Engineer and Madelyn stayed home raising their five (soon to be six) children.  Then in 1978, they moved to Boulder City, NV. to be closer to her parents who retired in Hurricane, UT.  Madelyn used her talents to serve many people in her ward and community. She was very musical and had a beautiful singing voice.  She sang in the choir and served as a ward organist for many years. Mom had a passion for genealogy.  She loved her pioneer ancestors and wrote a 600+ page hard-covered book about them. She was a member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers, and was dedicated to family history work. In 1984, she was hired as the adult education teacher for Boulder City, and helped many people of all ages get their high school diplomas.

In 1997, they moved to Escondido, California to retire.  They served three missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Tampa, Florida; Macon, Georgia; Cherry Hill, New Jersey). They made many friends and were an inspiration to those they met along the way.  They were members of the Escondido Hills Ward, and loved to volunteer and serve those in their ward.  They were temple workers and loved to go to the San Diego Temple every week.

Our mom and dad moved to Gilbert, Arizona in 2016 to be closer to two of their sons and numerous grandchildren, so they could get the additional assistance needed in their final years.  They were able to attend the Gilbert Arizona Temple weekly until it became too physically demanding.  Mom was a woman of duty to her faith and her family.

We would like to thank those who gave of their service to help care for our dear mother.  A special thanks to her sons (Alan and Craig), her neighbor (Joie Christensen), and White Dove Assisted Living's facility nurses, (Alina and Shev, and owner Nellie).

Madelyn is survived by her children:  Craig (Sara) Smith - Glendale, Arizona ; Laura  DeBock - Escondido, California; Sharyn (Sean) Manley - Cedar City, Utah ; Alan (Michelle) Smith - Gilbert, Arizona; Lynda Larson - Cedar City, Utah; Curtis (Lacey) Smith - Henderson, Nevada.  She is the grandmother to 24 grandchildren and one great grandson.  She is also survived by her siblings Charles Cripps - Phelan, California, Janet Rasband - Sun City, Arizona, Jim Rutherford - Needles, California, Elizabeth Drown - Springville, Utah, and Susan Cripps - Ceres, California.

Madelyn was preceded in death by her beloved husband on March 29, 2021, as well as by her twin boys, parents, brother, and many other aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, etc.  We know that it was a happy reunion for her to be reunited with all those who went before her.  Mom and dad are together again cruising that highway in the sky!  We will miss you, mom!