Obituary: Janet Smith Evans LeFevre

Janet Smith Evans LeFevre 1926 ~ 2006 Janet Smith Evans LeFevre, 79, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 9, following an unexpected massive stroke at the Valley View Medical Center in Cedar City. Before her death, she and family members were planning her 80th birthday party which was scheduled later in April. The celebration just came earlier than anticipated. She was born on April 30, 1926 to Barton H. and Virginia Hardy Smith in Moroni, Utah. She later moved with her parents to Henrieville and enjoyed growing up in beautiful red rock surroundings with her numerous siblings and cousins. She attended area schools and then went to work during World War II at the Ogden Defense Depot. She married Guy Hyrum Evans from Hatch on Oct. 19, 1947 in Fredonia, Arizona (marriage later solemnized in the Salt Lake LDS Temple). They made their home in Pleasant Grove where they raised three daughters. They later moved to Henrieville where Janet and Guy bought the Pahreah Grocery store from Janet's parents and Janet took over postmaster duties from her mother. Guy died on July 8, 1970. She later sold the store but remained as the Henrieville Postmaster for the next 23 years. She was instrumental in building the present day post office which is one of the most unique small post offices in the United States. She also was elected to serve on the Henrieville Town Board. She married Ira "Ike" LeFevre of Panguitch, later divorced but both remained good friends. Knowing the value of a good education, she set a great example for her children and grandchildren by going back to high school and graduated from Bryce Valley High School in 1983. After she retired in 1990, she moved to Ferron to be close to two married daughters and their families. While in Ferron, she made many friends and volunteered at the Emery County Nursing. She lived in Ferron for eight and a half years and then moved to Cedar City to be with more friends and relatives. She was active in the Heritage Park LDS Ward and assisted at the Cedar City Senior Citizens Center. Janet loved people and went back to work after 15 years of retirement and was a highly regarded hostess at Wendy's in Cedar City where she was employed at the time of her death. She is survived by her daughters, Pauline (Len) Anderson, Ferron; Joyce (Clint) Warby, West Jordan; and Genice (Tumau) Laulu, West Jordan. She has 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren with five grandsons serving LDS missions, four of which are Eagle Scouts, and two of her grandsons returning safely from recent active duty in Iraq. She is also survived by her sisters, Gloria Hayden, Tropic; Ada (George) Thompson, Las Vegas; Connie Kleese, Cedar City; Carolyn (Lynn) Davies, Washington, UT; Marilyn (Jim) Rowan, St. George; Inez (Ivan) Winberg, Kearns; brother, Dar (Helen) Smith, St. George; and sister-in-law Clora Hardy, Las Vegas. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Guy; brothers Hardy and Freeman Smith. A viewing is scheduled on Thursday, April 13 at the Southern Utah Mortuary at 190 South 300 West in Cedar City from 6 to 8 p.m. An additional viewing will be held at the LDS Chapel in Henrieville on Friday, April 14 from 11:30 a.m. until time of services which will begin at 1 p.m. Burial will be in the Henrieville Cemetery. Janet was a widow for more than 26 years. Through the years she was a devoted sister, mother, grandmother, friend, and neighbor to many. She enjoyed sports especially the Utah Jazz, BYU Cougars and the Philadelphia Eagles. Her delightful humor, warmth, love and especially her cooking will be sorely missed. Her family knows of her strong testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and that she is once again with her beloved Guy and is happy.