Mindy Smith
Jerseyville |
It is with great sadness that the family of Mindy Ann Smith, 33, announces her passing on Monday, April 9, 2018 at her residence. She was born in Alton on January 31, 1985, and from the beginning possessed a smile and dimples that could melt your heart.
She attended Jerseyville schools and graduated in 2003 from Jersey Community High School. She earned an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice from Lewis & Clark Community College in Godfrey, and studied Mortuary Science at St. Louis Community College.
Life wasn't without its share of struggles for Mindy, as she fought a long, brave battle with addiction. In the last conversation she had with one of her sisters, Mindy was optimistic about her future and was looking forward to getting the necessary help to achieve total recovery.
It would sadden Mindy if she were to be remembered by her addiction, for she was so much more. She was our light and led most days with resilience, strength, and optimism. Her children were her pride and joy and she loved them fiercely. She loved her animals, camping, being outdoors, the smell of rain, and the beauty of thunderstorms. She possessed many talents that she shared through encouraging others, journaling, and writing poetry. Mindy was fun, vibrant, and had an extraordinary ability of making a quiet room burst out into laughter. She was loved beyond measure.
For these reasons, we would be remiss if we did not mention the powerful evil that took hold of our beautiful Mindy’s life. We love Mindy and are proud of her accomplishments and her desire for freedom from addiction. It may appear that she lost the battle, but she is now free forever, and her memory will never leave us.
Mindy will be lovingly remembered by her mother and stepfather, Sheryl Molloy and Steve Pegram of Dow; her two children, Endora Spencer and Dalton Simpson; her sisters, Carolyn Molloy of Chicago, Britney and Chris Opperman, and their son, Thornton of Maryville, and Sheariah Pegram of Dow; her brothers, Shane Pegram and his wife, Andrea of Godfrey, Adam Smith, and his wife, Dawn of Jerseyville, Brian Smith of Jerseyville, and Brian Molloy of Brooklyn, New York; her grandmother, Carolyn Wallace of Jerseyville; her grandfather Michael Wimmersberg of Jerseyville; her aunts and uncles, Ellen and Jeff Suttles of Jerseyville, and Gordon and Dottie Coop of Jersyville; along with her best friend, Neil Bushnell of Jerseyville.
She was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Clara Belle Simpson; husband, Dean Renken; brother, Sean Pegram; uncle, Michael Wimmersberg; and great grandparents, Harry and Margaret Coop, Leavetta (House) Mills and John "Whitey" Wimmersberg.
Visitation will be held on Monday, April 23, 2018 from 3 p.m. until the time of services at 6 p.m. at the Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville. Reverend Sonny Renken will officiate. She will be laid to rest during a sunset burial in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Jerseyville. Memorials may be given to her family in care of Crawford Funeral Home.
For those of you who took the time to know, love, and support Mindy, we sincerely thank you.
"My dear friends, if you know people who have wandered off from God's truth, don't write them off. Go after them. Get them back and you will have rescued precious lives from destruction and prevented an epidemic of wandering away from God" (James 5:19-20 MSG)
Crawford Funeral Home
