Rowena Mae Smith, 90, of Thorntown, passed away on Tuesday, February 11, 2020 at Witham Memorial Hospital in Lebanon, Indiana. She was born in Rensselaer, New York on August 4, 1929; a daughter of the late John B. and Nettie J. (Dresser) Groves.
She attended schools in Albany New York. In 1947, she was married to George W. Gideon and the family moved to Thorntown, Indiana in 1959. They later divorced, and she married William R. Smith in Indianapolis, Indiana; both preceded her in death.
Rowena worked many years for Stewart-Warner of Lebanon. Prior to that, she worked in the Kroger Bakery and the American Art Clay Company both in Indianapolis, Indiana.
She attended GAP Community Church in Thorntown. Rowena was devoted to her family and adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren. In addition to spending time with her family, she enjoyed sewing, quilting and making crafts.
Surviving are her children:
George (Susan) Gideon of Thorntown
Mona Lisa (Floyd) Bennett of Thorntown
Nettie Rose Gideon of Thorntown
Samuel B. Gideon of Thorntown
Rowena J. (Richard) Morris of Indianapolis
Eleven Grandchildren
Several Great Grandchildren
Many Great-Great Grandchildren
One Step Granddaughter
Four Step Great Grandchildren
Six Step Great-Great Grandchildren
In addition to her parents, Rowena was preceded in death by brothers, Lawrence Smith, Buster Smith, Walter Groves, Morgan Groves and John B. Groves, Jr.; sisters, Fleta Slemp, Edna Vitetta and one granddaughter.
Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 15, 2020 at Myers & Hunt Mortuary, 116 West Plum Street in Thorntown, Indiana.
Visitation is planned from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday at the funeral home in Thorntown. Interment will follow at Maple Lawn Cemetery in Thorntown, Indiana.
Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.
