While we mourn for the passing of Wilma Smith (aka Nana), Jesus is welcoming her with open arms! She performed what seemed like magic to all of us as she warmed our HEARTS, our Ears, and our Taste Buds!

While she gave of her heart endlessly, her first heart beat was in 1933 in the small town of Humboldt, IL as Nancy Anna Ridgeway Brown, (her mother) gave birth to her along with another heart beat, her twin brother Bill (Virgie Brown of Mattoon survives) and that close bond never ended. In addition to her father Orville Brown, she had six siblings Don, Unadine, Pauline, Orville Jr., Burnett and Martha waiting at home for their arrival.

At age six, God blessed her with the ability to play the piano…by EAR! While she never read music, she blessed everyone, including the Church of Christ in Paxton, with her razzle-dazzle style where she had been a member for 70 years, and blessed the congregation up until her passing at 91 years of Youth! Her style and natural ability to "jazz it up" became just one of her many talents the community cherished over the years.

Wilma met her husband, Harold Gibson, at the USO Club at Chanute Air Force Base. They wed May 8th,1954 and were married for 50 years. They became the parents of Nancy (Mike & Nancy Krumwiede of Paxton), and Stan (Stan & Sharon Gibson of Placida, FL). Wilma and Harold moved from Rantoul, IL to Paxton, IL in 1961, where they established roots and deep friendships for over 70 years!

Wilma became a local fashion icon as she and her husband owned and operated both Laybourn's Apparel (54 years) and Fashion Fair (25 years) in Paxton. Her sense of style and flair became known throughout Eastern Illinois as she not only served local farming communities with the latest fashions, but also repeat customers from near and far. She did it with class and service delighting her customers and making Holidays effortless for everyone!

Wilma also gave her heart to the community. While serving on the Chamber of Commerce and many Boards, she was also blessed with over 58 years of deep friendships with the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and was Past Worthy Matron of Prospect Chapter 367 of the Order of Eastern Star.

After the passing of Harold in 2004, Wilma met and married the second love of her life, John (Jack) Smith of Clarence in 2008 and they immediately knew they wanted each other in their lives. They were happily married for fifteen years and loved serving the community where together they were awarded the Golden Deed Award in 2015. In addition to being blessed to have Jack in her life until his passing on March 6, 2024, she was equally excited to add a stepdaughter Angie (Angie & Roger Marsh of Champaign, IL) and stepson Brian (Brian & Sandy Smith of Lake Geneva, WI). Nana's heart was also filled with the love for her four grandchildren: Brian (Brian Krumwiede & Melissa) of Paxton, Drew (Drew & Shelley Krumwiede) of Paxton, Kadi (Kadi and Eric Shultz of Scottsdale, AZ), and Madi (Madi and Greg Thompson of Champaign, IL). This also added 5 step granddaughters, 4 great grandchildren and 4 great step grandchildren.

And oh yeah…as for those taste buds! While Nana filled everyone's heart and ears with her God given piano talents, her flair for the kitchen, and especially her pies, became the entree everyone talked about in the community. Whether it was her Coconut Cream, Lemon Meringue, fruit, or pumpkin pies, her best ingredient was her love as she filled everyone's hearts and tummies!!

While we mourn for this wonderful lady's passing, we will choose to remember that she LIVED and she LOVED as she touched our Hearts, Ears, and Tummies in a way that no one else could!

A heartfelt thank you to Hollybrook Assisted Living in Rantoul, where Wilma had lived the last 1 ½ years, and Transitions Hospice, Jules, and all the other wonderful nurses and caregivers.  You all made life so much better for her!

Her visitation will be held from 4:00 -7:00 PM on Saturday, June 7th at the Church of Christ in Paxton, IL. The funeral will be held on Sunday, June 8th at 2:00 PM at the Church of Christ with grave side services following at Glen Cemetery. Dinner will follow.

The family is being assisted by Baier Family Funeral Services of Paxton, IL

Memorials can be made to the Church of Christ in Paxton, IL or Transitions Hospice.