Maybell Irene Smith's Obituary
Maybell Irene Smith (nee Thomas), 93 of Lorain passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 13, 2025 at the home of her daughter. Irene was born on March 16, 1932 in Londonderry Township (Guernsey County), Ohio to the late Theodore L. and Ethel P. (nee Decker) Thomas. She later moved with her family to Lorain, Ohio where she graduated from Lorain High School, Class of 1949A. She married Robert Henry Smith of Lorain on May 28, 1950. They were together until his death exactly one month before their 65th wedding anniversary.
Besides her love for her family, Irene enjoyed many activities. Taking time to plant and care for her plants and flowers gave her much pleasure. She looked forward to taking long walks nearly every day in French Creek Park and other places. She liked taking bicycle rides with her husband. She loved to travel. She went to England, France, Czech Republic, Australia and many places in the United States. Irene’s greatest joy was her love of God. She was a member of East Lorain Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses for over 70 years. She found so much pleasure talking with others about the promises of The Bible. For over 30 years, she devoted many hours each month living in harmony with Matthew 28:19-20 – ‘making disciples.’
She is survived by her son Robert L. (Lee Lo) Smith of Port Saint Lucie, FL; her daughter Deborah A. (Steve – deceased) Szoyka of Sheffield Village, Ohio; 7 grandchildren Matthew (Annette) Smith I, Melanie (Charles) Story, Marcie (Chris) McDougald, Daniel (Tammy) Szoyka, Eric (Yimarie) Smith, Kimberly (Fred) Peron, and Sarah (Tony) Barnes; 12 great- grandchildren Aiden Szoyka, Matthew Smith II, Presentina Smith, Jacob McDougald, Emilio Smith, Elana Smith, Julian Gaines, Addison Szoyka, Mason Szoyka, Elijah Smith, Emmyline Barnes, and Londyn Barnes. Irene is also survived by her last living sibling, her brother Ronald L. (Barbara) Thomas of Lorain.
In addition to her parents, Irene was preceded in death by her husband Robert H. Smith in 2015; infant daughter; infant great-grandson Andrew Christian Gaines; siblings Marjorie G. Donnersberger, Carl Eugene Thomas, Norma J. Tarnowski, and Elizabeth Eleanor LaValley; and son-in-law Steve Szoyka.
A special thanks to the nurses and staff at Mercy Health Hospice by Compassus for their genuine concern and care during the past two months.
Private burial will be held at Ridge Hill Memorial Park, Amherst, Ohio. A memorial talk will be held on October 4, 2025 at 3PM at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 2330 E. Skyline Dr. Lorain, OH 44053.
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