Laura Margaret (Howard) Smathers

Laura Margaret (Howard) Smathers passed away on January 14, 2022 at her home in Alamogordo, NM. She was born on February 2, 1932 in Knoxville, TN to Clifford and Oreen Howard. The Howard family moved to Canton, NC and Margaret spent her school years in the Canton school system. It was there that she and her future husband, Paul E. Smathers, started a courtship that led to a marriage that surpassed 68 years by one month at the time of her death. 

Laura Margaret "Margo" is survived by her husband, Paul of Alamogordo, NM, son Paul Edwin of St. Augustine, FL' daughters Laura M. Harris (Steve) of Alamogordo, NM and Tanya L. Keys (Matthew) of Ruther Glen, VA. Four Grandsons, four Granddaughters and seven great grandchildren.

Laura Margaret  was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters: Louise (Tom Clark) of Canton, Elsie Mae (Vernon Branam) of Peru, IN and brothers: Paul Earl Howard of Knoxville, TN, C.W. "Dub" Howard of Townsend, TN and James Edward "Jimmy" Howard of Kingsport, TN.

Margaret was a devoted wife (military spouse for 28 years as her husband served in the Air Force), a loving mother, a Christian witness for our Lord, member of over 40 years in The Auxiliary of Gideons International, and charter member of Cottonwood Christian Fellowship. She was a faithful super prayer warrior; always anxious to engage in prayer for others. She was a lady with many talents including a love for music which started early as a teenager singing in the choir at First Baptist Church in Canton, NC and continued in choir performances in military chapels. During her time at Holloman AFB, she and a group of wives formed an ensemble known as the "Skylarks" and were frequently asked to perform in the surrounding community. They willingly responded, dressed in identical long formal burgundy colored dresses with their beautiful voices. A self-taught cook, she passed on this talent to her three children and was always ready with cookies or cupcakes for fundraisers.  This really speaks to her “servant’s heart” as she was always heard saying, “What else can I help you with?”  She was a talented seamstress, not only sewing clothes for the family but also whatever ballet or twirling costume was needed as well as required dresses or uniforms for her children’s activities.  She would even help sew other children’s uniforms or costumes, if their parents couldn’t sew.  She was always ready to show off her camping skills as the family enjoyed many trips with their pop-up camper around the 4 corner states, west Texas and summer vacations traveling east to NC and TN for family visits. Margo quickly learned skills in cake decorating and was sought after by her neighbors for their special occasions. For many years she told people her “job” was being a chauffeur.  Between their three children’s activities and living on base, she must have driven thousands of miles carting kids back and forth picking up/dropping off so they could participate in the many activities they loved. Margo took employment briefly at the "Gift Box/Plant Patch" (SE corner of 10th and New York) and soon was recognized for her imagination and skilled hands in floral designs and arrangement. In addition, she received the Alamogordo Chamber of Commerce "Most Courteous Employee" certificate during this time. She had accepted Christ as her savior in her early teens and diligently practiced her faith the remainder of her years. Before any family decisions were finalized, she insisted that the matter had to be prayed over to seek Devine instructions. Margo loved gospel music and the hymns were deeply embedded in her brain.  Even after advanced dementia, during the hospice Chaplain visits the words and melody would accurately emerge from her lips.  Margo adored her husband (and vice versa) and expressed this with daily notes, kisses, remarks in her diary and expressions of appreciation and adoration. Even towards the end, as her dementia stole so many memories, including being married to Paul, she hoped that “he would ask her to marry him” and blew him kisses. Her attitude of joyfulness and thankfulness remained with her.  Margo was a gifted and admired lady, mother, wife and has left a void in many hearts with her passing. Heaven is surely rejoicing with her arrival; therefore, despite our sadness, we, too, must rejoice with her graduation to eternal life.

The family would like to specifically thank Kim and Beth from AmberCare Hospice, along with many of their additional staff who took such loving care of her the past few years at home. The children would like to thank their father, Paul, for his warrior-spirit in the many years of care following Margo’s cancer, return of cancer, strokes, and heartbreaking dementia - all the while keeping her home, as she wished, regardless of the unrelenting personal sacrifices he made in doing so.  The family has entrusted this lovely lady to the care of Alamogordo Funeral Home for cremation. There will be no service, instead it was her desire that her friends would take that time and perform a random act of kindness, to be a witness for our Christ, to plant a seed of faith to His invitation. If you are inclined, you may donate to Gideons International in her memory and they will continue to witness and place God's Word in awaiting hands. 

The Smathers family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Alamogordo Funeral Home.

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