Shirley Smith

Shirley Mae Smith, age 81, of Wainwright, died peacefully, late Tuesday, November 14, 2023, in Cleveland Clinic Mercy Medical Center at Canton following a brief illness.

Born in Wainwright on August 28, 1942, Shirley was a daughter of the late John D. “Don” and Sarah Smith Beamer.

She attended the former Tuscarawas-Warwick High School. At the age of 50, she obtained her GED and went on to earn an Associate Degree from Kent State University at Tuscarawas in Criminal Justice. Prior to her return to school, Shirley was employed by numerous local firms including the Juvenile Attention Center at New Philadelphia. She later retired from Mailer’s Choice at Gnadenhutten, where she spent the last 15 years of her career.

Shirley had many passions in life that included gardening, flowers, telling stories, and writing poetry. But her greatest passion was her interactions with family and friends. Shirley loved making the most out of any situation, good or bad and always kept a positive attitude, knowing the precise time to throw in a joke to lighten the mood. She was known as the rock of her family, and the listening ear. However, she never shied away from providing helpful advice to those around her.

Never one to complain about the cards in her hand, Shirley often went without so others could have. She had a deep love for children and felt a great deal of compassion toward all she met.

She is survived by her children, two sons, Jay (Christy) Smith of Gnadenhutten and Jack (Kim) Smith of Boliver, a daughter, Marlee (Mark) Beatty of Gnadenhutten; her grandchildren, Jessica (Chad) Thomas, Andrew Smith, Aliyah Ross, Rocky (Shannon) Moore, Marcus Beatty, Janine Beatty, Jake (Chevelle) Smith, and Shane Smith; numerous great and great-great grandchildren.

Completing the family are her sister-in-law, Gwen Beamer of Wainwright, and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Shirley was preceded in death by a son, Jason Smith, a granddaughter, Sarah Hostetler; and two brothers, Donald and Gary Beamer; two sisters, Doris Horner and Jane Dummermuth; her former husband, Jack Smith, Sr. and her companion of 33 years, Melvin Neibert.

In keeping with her wishes, there will be no public visitation or services. The Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia is handling arrangements.

Shirley had a deep, firsthand, understanding of watching others struggle with mental health and drug abuse situations. In honoring her memory, her family requests memorial contributions be directed to the ADAMHS Board of Tuscarawas County, 119 Garland Drive SW, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.

A loving and compassionate member of our family has gone to rest. To say you knew her was to know you too are blessed.