Helen A. Searle Smith

Helen A. Searle Smith, 97 years old, of American Fork, Utah, left this life surrounded by her family on November 3, 2021.

Helen was born on April 28, 1924, in Lehi, Utah, the daughter of Adelbert (Bert) and Mabel Woodhouse Adamson. Her sisters were Lorraine Brown (Robert), Dorothy Taylor and Rose Devey (Ranald).

She graduated from American Fork High School in 1942 and on the night of her graduation she became engaged to Don Leslie Searle. They were married in the Manti Temple on July 22, 1942. They became parents to three daughters, Linda Walker (Pete), American Fork; Julie Warnick (Ken), Draper; and Dawna Borchert (Bruce), Mesa, AZ. She was the proud grandmother of ten grandchildren, thirty-two great-grandchildren and twelve great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, husband, Don, and one great granddaughter, Ashton Warnick. In 1981 she married Leland E. Smith. Lee has four children, Susan, Duane, Randy, and Lori.

Life for Helen was filled with family, work, church, and music. She went to work for Utah Power & Light in 1954. She worked with dear friends for thirty-three years until her retirement in 1987.

She held several church callings, her favorite being Ward Chorister leading the music in Sacrament Meeting for over 50 years. Music was a part of her life. She had a beautiful soprano voice which she shared with others. We have over 125 funeral programs where Helen was the special musical number. She continued to sing at funerals until she was 82 years old. She was a charter member of the American Fork Civic Chorus. A dream of Helen’s was to sing with the Tabernacle Choir which occurred on her 90^th Birthday at a Thursday evening practice.

She was a member of the DUP, President of the Lady Lions Club and President and member of Jr. Arlitra. In 2015 at the age of 91 Helen was an inaugural nominee and selected to the Utah Women’s Walk, sponsored by Utah Valley University. This honor recognized women who have made contributions to life in Utah over the past 160 years. This recognition was unexpected but gave Helen the joy and satisfaction that during her life she had made a difference.

In Helen’s life history she wrote “no one has been more blessed than I have been during my lifetime. I have enjoyed a wonderful life filled with precious memories and rich blessings. Most precious of them all, is my family and faith in my Savior, Jesus Christ. I have enjoyed the company of wonderful friends, neighbors and associates and my love goes out to them as well as to my wonderful family.”

Thanks to Chris, Jill & Carson Cook who lovingly cared for Helen in her final days. Thank you to Dignity Health, Torrie, and Tasha, who saw to her every medical need.

A viewing will be held on Saturday, November 13, 2021, from 10:30 to 11:30 am with the funeral following at 12:00 noon at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 680 N 350 W, American Fork Utah.