Alma Lee Smith, age 92, passed away Tuesday, January 12, 2016 surrounded by family in Bellevue, WA where she lived her last weeks in the loving care of her grand-daughter. Alma was the youngest daughter born to John Arthur Bixler and Bertha Mae Bixler in Eldorado, IL on July 21, 1923. Being a pastor's daughter, Alma was taught early in life the power of prayer and the love of Jesus Christ. She was a very religious woman who found solace in the gospel and its teachings. One of her favorite things was to sing in church. In 1943 Alma married John Paul "BudGÇ¥ Bourne and became a career Navy wife. In 1948 she had her only child, Bradley Arlan Bourne of Monroe, WA whom she was deeply devoted and shared a bond with like no other. Alma was a master seamstress and made her grand-daughters Christmas dresses every year. She was a beautiful and graceful woman who turned the heads of many, an amazing cook and elegant interior decorator. Alma lived the majority of her adult life in southern California where she held many administrative jobs, one of her favorites being the Audio Visual Secretary at her son's Alma Mater, San Diego State University. In 1963 Alma met her second husband Earl Smith. Together they lived a glamorous life building casinos in Las Vegas, NV and raising horses in Albuquerque, NM. It was after her youngest great-granddaughter was born in 1996 that Alma relocated to Monroe, WA to be close to her family. Alma will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her, especially her son. Her family takes comfort knowing she is with Jesus Christ in Heaven. Alma was preceded in death by her parents, older sisters Rovena Gregg and Wanda Bixler, grandson Brett Laban Bourne and both of her husbands. She leaves behind her son Bradley Arlan Bourne (Cathi Bourne), her grandchildren Becky Florian and Bradley A. Bourne Jr., her niece Deborah Popham of Evansville, IN and her great-granddaughters Caylee and Caslyn Florian. A private memorial will be held for family and they ask that you say a prayer for Alma's eternal life.
More like this story
- April Lee Boyce Johnson May 8, 1947 - July 30, 2016
- Arlene Enyeart May 10, 1933 - May 6, 2016
- MaryAnn Diamond (Psaris) Wakefield – June 5, 1923 to January 6, 2018
- Kenneth P. Creamer Jr. April 15, 1963 - October 10, 2018
- Bradley "BradGÇ¥ Herren Pattie March 23, 1942 - January 22, 2016
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment