Muriel Belle Gale Smith passed away peacefully on December 20th, 2023, in Glendale Arizona. Muriel led a full and happy life filled with church, family, friends, and multiple activities.
She was a teacher by trade, and enjoyed a long career of encouraging kids of all ages to love literature, music, reading and the arts. If there was a young person anywhere in her vicinity, she was making a new friend, discovering their hidden talents.
She was a gifted musician with a beautiful soprano voice. She directed choirs for many years as well as led children’s music for her church. She performed in several musical theater productions from Chandler High School in Arizona to BYU in Provo, Utah and community theater in Phoenix. She was a dedicated Cub Scout leader and recently enjoyed teaching Sunday School in Henderson, Nevada.
She is survived by her children, Carrie (Ken) Hilton, Jennifer (Fred) Mullins, and Tim (Shannon) Smith; her beloved 9 grandchildren, Benjamin (Ashlee) Mullins, Elizabeth Mullins, Ashlie (Jay) Hilton, Rachel (Philipp) Pitchford, Taylor (Barbara) Smith, Jessica Hilton, Hannah (Thomas) Smith, Dallin Smith, and Dawson Smith; 7 adored great-grandchildren Gavin Mullins, Cecilia Windham, Harper Mullins, Jackie Windham, Eloise Mullins, Luka Windham, and Mabel Mullins.
She is also survived by her brothers Jesse (Debbie) Gale, LeGrand Lamb, Jerry (Nygra) Lamb, Dennis (Susan) Lamb, Kenny (Kit) Lamb.
Funeral services are planned for Friday, December 29th at 10:00 AM, preceded by a visitation at 9:00 AM at the Sierra Verde Ward building, 23121 North 67th Avenue in Glendale, with interment at City of Mesa Cemetery. See www.bunkerfuneral.com for more information.
Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.
I am so sorry to hear this! She was always so happy and kind. She was the life of the Christmas parties with her music and papa was always so proud of her when she would lead the family in music at the programs!
I am sorry to say goodbye to one of my classmates. I
Pray that all of the family will feel Heavenly Father’s love and peace as they share memories of their mother, grandmother, sister.and friend. ❤️❤️
She was like a big sister to the boys in the Lamb family and all of their friends. She was loved and will be missed by many. She was a very caring person. Condolences to her family at this time.
Grandma smith was a one woman show. She was a mother, a grandmother, a band teacher, a seamstress, a choir director, Cub Scout leader, a full time across the street nanny to me and my siblings. She did it all. She was the best grandma I could have ever asked for. Anyone who knew grandma Smith would know she was a fiesty and spicy little lady but she was also so loving and loyal. Grandma smith showed her love through quality time and showed a genuine interest in anyone who was in her life. My siblings and I got to grow up close to her and all I ever wanted to do was walk over to her house and hangout with her. Which I did almost ever day. Grandmas house just felt like a big play house. There was always some project or activity in the works. Whether it was building a shed with a chain saw, (my personal favorite), planting strawberries in her garden, sewing, or taking the dogs out to the desert we were busy with that cute grandma of ours. She taught me so much but the thing that touches me the most is, life and people are really simple. You don’t need something big and grand going on to make a memory. You just need your family and a home to make fun and beautiful memories. She will be missed but the fond memories I have with her will always be close to my heart. She isn’t gone. She just went ahead of all of us. I love you grandma smith ?
Muriel was my friend from high school days and for years after. She will always have a special place in my heart.