Margaret Leora Smith's Obituary
Margaret was born on July 23, 1923 in Long Beach, CA to Emery Lavern and Oletta Cornelia Knotts. She was the oldest of two children. Prior to purchasing a home in Richmond, CA where Margaret gradated from high school, her family lived in multiple Bay Area and Sacramento area locations.Margaret worked for the US Post Office during World War II, where she met her future husband, Howard Paul Smith. Margaret married Howard shortly after he was discharged from the Navy (post WWII) on September 23, 1946. The newlyweds lived with Howard’s father and brothers in Kirkwood, MO, where Margaret managed the household and started her family. Margaret and Howard were blessed with five children, Gerald Stuart (1947), Sandra Lynn (1949), Melinda Lea (1950), Paul Emery (1954) and Donald Howard (1956). The Howard Smith’s moved to California in 1957, renting a home in Hayward, CA prior to purchasing their home in Fremont, CA in 1958.Margaret loved gathering friends and family together to share food and fun. She was athletic – loved to travel as well as being an accomplished cook, musician, and artist. She is survived by children: Melinda and Loren Lentz, Paul and Sandy Smith; grandchildren: Matthew and Scott Lentz; Jason and Michelle Smith; Danielle and Jonathan Guerra; Andy and Sandra Smith; and Jeff Smith; great-grandchildren: Abigail and Emery Lentz; Makoto and Hikaru Smith; Isaiah, Smith; Kayla and Lilly Smith; and Daphne Guerra.Preceding her in death: Sandra Lynn (1949), Gerald Stuart (1982), Donald Howard (2008) and, her husband of 65 years, Howard (2011).
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