Beryl Inez Smith

Born in Astoria and raised in Portland, Beryl was always proud to be a native Oregonian. Her education included graduation from Franklin High School (in Portland, OR), a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Oregon, where she was also a member of Alpha Gamma Delta and Mortar Board, and a Masters Degree from Oregon State University. (This caused her to have a "split loyalty" when it came to college sports!) She loved attending the Women's Gymnastics meets at OSU and watching football and basketball games on TV. In January of 1957, Beryl and Gene bought their little spot of heaven just north of Corvallis, where Gene lived until his death in August of 1990, and Beryl remained until her relocation to Pleasant Valley Care Home in Vancouver, WA in March of 2022. Beryl began her high school English teaching career at Alsea High School in 1948. She left the following spring when the school burned down. The next two years she taught at Philomath High School, and then resigned to begin a family in Corvallis. After 14 years, she returned to Philomath to teach three more years before moving to Corvallis High School, where she remained until she retired in 1988. Beryl Inez and her twin sister, Beverly Estelle, were born to Elmer J. and Leta E. Howard on February 10, 1926. Beryl married Oliver Eugene Smith on December 28, 1948. Gene was a painter at Wilson Motors in Corvallis and owned Custom Appliance Painting. Michael Eugene was born on April 1, 1952, and Wendy May on August 25, 1955. These "city folks" became farmers when they moved to a 4.63 acre cherry farm, growing sweet and sour cherries and raising sheep. Animals were always an important part of Beryl's life and became a family affair with 4-H Sheep Shows at county, state, and national fairs. Beryl was the leader of a Benton County 4-H livestock club for ten years. After Mike and Wendy aged-out of 4-H, Beryl continued to donate a Southdown ewe lamb at the county fair and attended the 4-H barbeque and livestock auction every year until she was physically unable to do so. Even after her 4-H years, Wendy continued to be a part of the sheep raising and showing with Beryl, including travelling around the country participating in Open Class sheep shows. They even took trips together to World Sheep and Wool Congresses in such places as Australia/New Zealand/Tasmania and Scotland/England/Wales/Ireland! Beryl enjoyed going on trail rides in the Cascades and to 4-H and open class horse shows with Wendy. She was a part of Mike's raising fancy and homing pigeons for contests, shows, and races. Dogs, especially Collies, whether for companionship or sheep herding, have always been a must in Beryl's life. Gene loved the farm maintenance and building anything that would make care of animals easier for Beryl. He also made all of the wonderful mountain camping trips possible by meticulously keeping the travel and horse trailers in perfect condition. His death in 1990 was a great loss. Beryl has grown in religious faith through a lifetime in the Episcopal Church; from St. Michael's in Portland to St. Mary's in Eugene to the Church of the Good Samaritan in Corvallis. Her many activities at Good Sam have included singing in the choir, teaching Sunday School, Vestry Senior Warden, secretary of ECW (Episcopal Church Women), being in charge of altar flowers, and decorating for events. Among many other activities, flowers and gardening were an abiding love. She loved planting and maintaining a myriad of flowers every year, including many gorgeous roses, in her yard and on her deck. She has also enjoyed her bridge groups. Beryl was preceded in death by her parents; sister Beverly and her husband Bob Halsebo; and her husband Gene. She is survived by her son Mike and wife Dokduen (Nok) of Brush Prairie, WA; daughter Wendy of Corvallis; granddaughters Lynette Silva of Henderson, NV, Sheena Smith of Chandler, AZ, Angelyn Smith of Battleground, WA, and Kae Thipsouvanh of Bangkok, Thailand; grandson Keng Thipsouvanh of Bangkok, Thailand; and, great-granddaughters Syrena, Emely, Stacy, and Aliyah. Memorial Services will be held at the Church of the Good Samaritan, 333 NW 35th Street, Corvallis, OR 97330, on February 10, 2024, at 1:00 pm. A reception will be held in the Parish Hall immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, please consider sending a donation in memory of Beryl I. Smith to: Benton County 4-H Association, 4077 SW Research Way, Corvallis, OR 97333.

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Beryl Inez Smith

February 10, 1926 - September 27, 2023