Patricia Sue Smith

Patricia Smith passed away quietly on Sunday July 26, 2026, at home surrounded by family.

Patricia Sue Simmons was born in Centerville Iowa to James Drew Simmons and Anita Mae Ferrel Simmons on September 14, 1945. She married Claude Smith on March 24, 1967 in Elizabeth City North Carolina. She had many jobs throughout her working years; her greatest title was Nana. There weren’t many kids that came into the Legion that didn’t call her “Nana”. She was a member of the Legion Auxilary in Garwin Iowa, the Red Oak CB club, she and her husband Claude were Mr. and Mrs Claus during Christmas, and she was the Easter Bunny in the town of Garwin. But as involved in the community as she was, Patricia’s driving purpose was family. Family vacations, get togethers, golfing, canoeing, going to garage sales, beading and making jewelry, riding motorcycles, baking at Christmas, whatever it was, Patricia wanted and needed to be in the beautiful chaos of family.

Patricia is survived by her husband of 59 years Claude Lisle Smith; daughter Angel Campbell (Bubba); son Bryan Smith (Johna); daughter Jeni Gray (Vegas); grandchildren Casey Thurston (Jen), Cassie Campbell (Pancho), Aaron Keller (Melissa), Mackenzi Smith (Daniel Moon), Tyler Thurston, Noah Thurston (Alexis), Andrew Thurston, Colby Gray (Paisley), Alicen Myers (Ben Higdon); 15 great grandchildren; brothers Eldon “Butch” Shriver and Larry “Hooty” Shriver, brother-in-law Ed Smith (Jayma), and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Dean and Anita Casey, Patricia was preceded in death by her grandma Nona Ferrel (Leo), her parents-in-law James and Helen Smith, and several nieces and nephews. And her best friend Jean Keller whom she knew for a lifetime, did everything with, and who passed from this life not long before Patricia. A friendship transcending even death.

Mitchell Family Funeral Home has been entrusted to care for Patricia and her family. To leave online condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. Ph. 641-844-1234.