Marcella Smith

October 22, 2007

Funeral services for Marcella Smith, 87, of Jefferson, will be 10:30am Friday October 26, 2007 at Slininger-Rossow Funeral Home in Jefferson. Interment will be in the Scranton Twp. Cemetery. Friends may call at Slininger-Rossow Funeral Home in Jefferson after 9:00am Thursday, where the family will greet friends from 7:00 – 8:30pm Thursday. Marcella Ferne Dillivan, daughter of Lloyd and Reaka Dillivan, was born March 19, 1920 in northwest Greene County. She attended several country schools in Greene County. Being the oldest daughter, she helped with housekeeping and home chores while her parents farmed. She enjoyed fishing with her father. While attending high school she lived with town families doing housework and child care. She graduated from Jefferson High School in 1938. She knit sweaters and sold them to fellow students. She taught country school in Greene County for 2 years. Marcella married Raymond E. Smith in 1941. They raised three daughters and one son in Jefferson. Marcella worked in the material department at JCPenney and did alterations. She was an expert seamstress for her daughters, other individuals, and mannequins. She and Raymond retired to Tempe, AZ in 1985. They enjoyed working in their flowers and landscaping. Other projects included canvas and counted cross stitch projects. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church women’s society in Jefferson. She held several positions including president for three years. She also taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. In Tempe she volunteered at the Pyle Rec Center. The couple returned to Jefferson in 2000. Marcella died October 22, 2007 at Greene County Medical Center. She was 87 years of age. Preceding her in death were her parents, two brothers, Wendell and Larry Dillivan, an infant sister Velma and one grandson. Survivors include her husband, Raymond, daughters Connie (Gary) Henderson of Tempe, AZ, Karen Wright of Gilbert, AZ, Mary (Larry) Burkett of Rippey, IA, son Steve (Linda) Smith of Jefferson, 1 sister: Waunita Collogan of Grand Junction, IA; 1 brother: Maurice Dillivan of Jefferson, IA; 11 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.