Vida Belle Harlin Smith, 83, of Tecumseh, passed away Wednesday, December 14, 2011 in Tecumseh.

Vida was born November 2, 1928 to Carl and Vida Belle Scott Harlin in Bethel Acres.

She was a lifelong resident of the Pottawatomie county area.

Vida's mother passed away shortly after her birth and she was raised by her grandparents, Clara Ellen and Harlie A. Scott.

She was a 1946 graduate of Tecumseh High School.

Vida married her high school sweetheart, Bill "Billy Gene" Smith. They raised their family in the Pink community, moving to Tecumseh in 1968, and she has lived in the area ever since.

She worked for Sylvania, Round House, Wrangler and retired from Allen Bradley {TDK}.

Vida was a member of the Tecumseh Alumni Association.

She was an active member of the Broadway United Methodist Church and was a Sunday school teacher.

She loved sewing and country music. She enjoyed square dancing and was an avid follower of pro baseball, football and college football.

Her grandchildren were the focal point of her life.

Vida was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Myrle and Ray Harlin and numerous aunts and uncles.

She is survived by three daughters and two sons-in-law, Carol D. Smith of Seymour, Connecticut, Lori Smith-Murdock and Kelly Murdock of Pink and Eugenia Smith-O'Neal and Jack O'Neal of Pink; son and daughter-in-law, Lynn and Debbie Smith of Snohomish, Washington, sister-in-law, Gwen Harlin of Shawnee; ten grandchildren, Angela Sowder, Jeremy Sowder, Adam Still, Lucas Smith, Trenton Still, Katie Smith, Paige Smith, Sydnee Montgomery, Jessica O'Neal and Dakota Meiers, three step-grandchildren, Alex Hickman, Dakota and Jake Murdock and numerous extended family and friends.

The family wishes to designate the following as appropriate for memorials: Bethel Memorial Fund for the Hopewell and Bethel Cemeteries or the Alzheimer's Association.

Visitation to be from noon to 5:00 p.m., Saturday, December 17, from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m., Sunday, December 18, and from 9:00 a.m. until time of service Monday, December 19.

Graveside service will be 10:00 a.m., Monday, December 19, at Hopewell Cemetery, across from Bethel United Methodist Church, Bethel Acres with Doctor Karrie Oertli, Director of Pastoral Care of Baptist Medical Center officiating, under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh.

Family will gather to meet with friends prior to service time at Cooper Funeral Home.

Published December 18, 2011.