Jennifer Lynn Smith

Jenny- West Coast junkie, hippie sand-romper, party planner, movie connoisseur, custom cosplay costume creator, ultimate master-quilter, fancy dress designer, die-hard Steelers' fan, undergarment rebel, kitty and puppy lover, passionate part-time photographer, digital image hoarder, eternal optimist, legendary-hug-giver, keeper of weird and sometimes useless facts, and her Grandbabies' biggest fan In her short 61-years Jenny lived a life of infinite possibilities, stopping often to drink up drops of the sun and simply enjoy life. Jenny was born in the small, but breathtaking, ocean-side haven of Crescent City, California. The only remarkable event to take place during Jenny's 7-year stay in California though, was the time that she tried to burn the house down by "cooking" a cake on the stovetop (oh wait, that was Jerry). For fear of burning down the world's largest tree house, the family decided to move to Phoenix, Arizona in 1959. In Arizona, Jenny developed an affinity for sunshine and saguaro cactus, and soon began a passionate love affair with two bodies of water: Lake Pleasant and Lake Martinez. The '60s were spent with Jenny and her two brothers traversing the sun kissed land of Arizona like Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer, spending most of their weekends and summers on one of the two beloved lakes. As Jenny blossomed into a teenager, it became clear to her brothers that Queen Rockbottom could no longer be considered average- she had become absolutely gorgeous (and lots of boys agreed). In Batman Fashion, Jerry once had to Bif! Bang! Boom! a guy named Van. Fortunately for Van, he was a fast learner. Just like Jerry, big brother Jeff was also called to action, and often. Anytime Jenny was receiving unwanted attention from silly boys, Jeff was ready (he was likely available at those times when Jenny sincerely did not want his help with the boys). Unfortunately for Jerry Clark, Jeff discovered that he was not a fast learner like Van. It took a smack to the beak and a car chase for Mr. Clark to realize that Ms. Boyd was not the girl for him. Jenny was always ready for a road trip, as long as the compass pointed west, and her radio was stocked with Top Gun, The Eagles, and Queen- great company never hurt either. Several road trips are always worthy of reminiscing Like the "1977 Beater V-Dub" trip, when Jenny's first born Stacy (10 months) cried anytime her Uncle Jeff held her, ultimately forcing him to drive the entire trip of 1, 400 miles so Jenny could quiet the screamer. Then there was the "U-Haul Disaster" trip, when Jenny and her husband Jim had "engine issues" and the 26-foot U-Haul stalled at the toll both, on the Sam Houston Tollway, during rush hour traffic, for more than five hours (thank The Lord for Big Gulps!). But best of all was the "Grandma takes her four grandbabies on the adventure of a lifetime" trip, when Jenny took Korrin (12), Kaitlyn (10), Kamille (7), and Colton (5) for a two week stay in Phoenix. On the return trip, Jenny and the grandbabies traveled through the Grand Canyon, stopped at the corner in Winslow, Arizona (such a fine sight to see!), and utterly destroyed the inside of that poor SUV. Jenny never followed conventional wisdom, especially when it came to raising three girls. She felt it was completely acceptable to dress little girls in three shades of the same broadcloth print material, and it was vital that at least one of those girls donned a haircut resembling an Amish boy (sorry Stacy). She also believed that little girls should have "smart" learning toys, and that toys like My Little Pony and Barbie were insufferable playthings for her genius children. She also deviated from the norm when it came to nutrition. For example, on a memorable, once in a lifetime trip to Disneyland, Jenny took her three girls to I-HOP every morning for the three days they were visiting the park. Every morning, the waitresses at I-HOP would gasp when Jenny would allow her girls to order coffee. They could not believe she would let 14, 11, and 8 year-old children drink coffee- after all, everyone knew then that coffee would stunt your growth. If it wasn't for her youngest daughter Kelly's eventual height, then we all might have to agree. She also believed that children were not cultured unless they religiously watched Anne of Green Gables and The Scarlet Pimpernel, knew all the words to Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Oklahoma, and Unsinkable Molly Brown, and could at least recite the notorious and legendary lines of Gone with the Wind ("Frankly my dear," and "After all, tomorrow is another day!"). Growing up "Jenny" was good. Jenny would like to thank Her dad Robert Gale Boyd (Deceased) for teaching her how to ski (he was the best); her mom Loretta May (Deceased) for loving her with, and for passing on, the most beautiful smile two eyes have ever seen; her big brother Jeffrey Lee for keeping her safe and protected all those years like a precious treasure; her twin baby brother (by 14 minutes) Jerry David for always keeping her secrets and for loving her just as she was; and her husband James Harland Smith Jr. for perfectly capturing her "dreamed of" oasis and countless other fantastical visions (for nearly 20 years) with pencils and paintbrushes. She would like to thank her daughter Stacy Marie McPherson for helping to raise her baby sisters (often with brute force and choke holds) and for being the best baby-maker ever; her daughter Kristine Lynn Oliphant for being the cutest (literally, the cutest) and easiest child to raise, and for being such a great hugger (and for guaranteeing frequent visits from the EMS and fire department hotties); her daughter Kelly Ann Begeal for truly embracing the honorable calling of Hoo-hah-duty, and for incessantly talking (and if you can't find Kelly, Jenny said look in the shed); her sons-in-law Daniel McPherson, Jimmy Wheeler, and James Begeal for unforgettable conversations and for stealing her heart (and undoubtedly for loving her three complicated daughters); her first husband Jerry Lee Oliphant (Deceased) for blessing her with three incredible, beautiful, intelligent, stubborn girls (no boys); her grandchildren Korrin, Kaitlyn, Kamille, Colton, Wyatt, and Tyler (her most favorite people in the world, no secret) for showing her what endless love and eternal happiness truly are- you all made her life so much better; her grandson Taylor for secretly loathing the Cowboys, and for blessing her with James Riley- the sweetest, most adorable, little great-grandson she had ever seen (she just knew he would grow up to be a Steelers' fan!); her stepson Douglas Smith and his wife Amy, and her stepdaughter Mehgan Smith for their love and acceptance over the years; and her grandchildren Liam, Rowan, and Avery for adding even more happiness to her life. Jenny was blessed to call so many delightful people her accomplices, co-conspirators, and friends. Closest to her heart (and those with the most dirt on her) were Linda Carter, Sherry Boyd, Jim and Barb Oliphant, Jerry and Charlotte Hanna, Terri and Darlene Coursen, Rusty and Diane Moore, Kathy Henry, and Bill Patrick. She was also blessed to be called "Aunt Jenny" by many little hooligans, in many different places (all of whom she loved dearly). Her favorites were Jodi, Jason, Jinger, Laura, and Melissa, and of course Jess and Amy (some things are never changed by divorce). She would like to thank Stan Lee (yes, Stan "The Spidey Man" Lee) for holding her hand, wishing her sweet-somethings, and then blowing her kisses at the Alamo City 2014 Comicon (Jenny was so thankful to have the world's biggest nerd for a grandson); Hugh Jackman for being genuine while he held her hand at the X-Men Origins: Wolverine World Premiere in 2009 (Jenny was so thankful to have equally nerdy company/family for this adventure- the kind that is willing to wait in line, hanging out on concrete, overnight, for more than 12 hours, so Hugh Jackman can touch your hand); and she truly appreciated every baby, child, teenager, adult and dog that opened up their hearts and arms/paws to welcome home one of her handmade quilts- it was a blessing to her that each one of them went to a good home. She would like to thank her dog Dusty for loving her always and for sharing the JIF; and her grand puppies Cooper, Lucy, Lady, Princess, and Sam Houston for all the puppy-sitting adventures and "weekends at grandma's" they shared; and her grand kitties Tiger and Olly for being such special cats; and an extra special thank you to Sammy for protecting her, with every ounce of Rottweiler soul he had, and for his willingness to eat anyone or anything that even considered coming her way- even if it was just a wheelchair or an oxygen tank. She would also like to thank a complete stranger named Jerome for helping her get into the Suburban when she "fell" at the Cancer Care Center in San Antonio; her oncologist Dr. Sharon Wilks for holding her hand and providing real care with love, compassion, and honesty; Barbara with Interim Hospice for helping with the "new house"; her nurses Michelle and Ginger for holding her hand until the very end (you two women are truly heaven sent); and Chaplain Grady for praying with her and helping to push away the fear of the unknown. Because it would be a tragedy to gather at a depressing funeral, and mourn the loss of Jenny (which Jenny would never approve of) Her family plans to celebrate her life, and the countless blessings she poured over so many, by throwing a week-long party at Lake Pleasant during the summer of 2015. Jenny's wishes were to be cremated and for her ashes to be laid to rest at Lake Pleasant, with her parents. We are committed to making this happen- "It's going to be a riot!" Instead of flowers, Jenny would love for you to call your mom and dad and tell them you love them, hug your babies and grandbabies- then hug them again, open your home and invite people in to hang-out for a while, donate your time and an ear to someone that needs you, feed or care for a family that is struggling, forgive people and allow the hurt to heal, and to live a life that makes you truly happy. As for Jenny's estate, she leaves it all to Susan, Alex and Alecia, Cindy, Skipper Hop and Jared James.