Sheila J. Smith, 68, of Taylorville, died at 5:16 a.m., on Wednesday, May 12, 2021, at Taylorville Memorial Hospital.
Mrs. Smith will be cremated and no public services will be held. Shafer-Perfetti and Assalley Funeral Home in Taylorville is assisting the family with arrangements.
Mrs. Smith was born on June 24, 1952, in Hillsboro, the daughter of Robert and Sharon (Traylor) Altevogt. Raised in rural Irving on the family farm, she was the oldest of five daughters. She was an independent and honest child who was always looking out for her younger sisters.
Mrs. Smith graduated from Witt High School with the class of 1970, and went on to proudly serve her country in the US Air Force. Upon her honorable discharge, she stayed in Arizona where she held several different jobs with the federal government, eventually retiring from the Social Security Administration. It was in Arizona where she met her husband, Earl R. Smith. He preceded her in death in 2007, and shortly after she relocated to Taylorville to be closer to her family.
Mrs. Smith loved a challenge and was excellent at completing Sudoku, crossword puzzles, and jigsaw puzzles. She also loved animals, especially cats.
Mrs. Smith is survived by her sisters, Shirley (husband, Jim) Cooper of Taylorville and Roberta Altevogt of Witt; niece, Angela (husband, John) O’Mahony of Austin, TX; great niece, Harlow O’Mahony; two aunts; two uncles; and several cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Peggy Portwood and Donna Wilhelm; and nephew, Brian Williamson.
Memorial contributions may be made to Christian County Animal Control, 300 S. Baughman Road, Taylorville, IL 62568. Condolences may be left online at www.assalleyfuneralhomes.com.
