STEUBEN and UNIONVILLE – Lorraine “Bugs” Leighton Smith, 81, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, left this earth peacefully March 26, 2012, at Maine Coast Memorial Hospital, Ellsworth.
Lorraine was born June 15, 1930, in Steuben, the daughter of the late Vernell T. and Elvina Leighton.
She attended and graduated from Steuben High School in 1948. She married Ralph T. Smith in 1950 and celebrated 57 years of marriage before his death in 2007. Lorraine spent her working years employed at an assortment of local businesses in Cherryfield and Milbridge. She was well known and dear to many in those communities. She recalled fondly many memories of her time spent driving a school bus.
Lorraine is survived by her son, Thomas R. Smith; daughter, Crystal A. (Smith) King; one granddaughter, Melissa Pletts; great-grandchildren, Owen and Emma Pletts; one sister, Truth A. Whitten; special niece and nephew, Michelle Bierman and “Cook” Whitten, and their families. Lorraine is also survived by sisters-in-law, Doris Grant, Alice Grace and Sylvia Smith; brothers-in-law, Irving Smith and wife, Margaret, and Horace Smith and wife, Gerri; and many, many nieces and nephews on the Smith side of the family. In addition to her parents and husband, Lorraine was predeceased by brothers-in-law, Clair B. Whitten Sr., Lee, Eben and Donald Smith, Richard Grace and Liston Grant.
At Lorraine’s request, burial at Unionville Cemetery will be private; however, family and friends are invited to celebrate her life 2 p.m. Saturday, March 31, at Unionville Church of God. After a brief memorial service, refreshments will be served downstairs. Memorial donations may be made to Ark Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 276, Cherryfield, ME 04622. Arrangements made by Bragdon-Kelley Funeral Home.