Elaine Smith Brown

Elaine Smith Brown loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend passed away peacefully at her home in Bountiful, Utah December 13, 2021.
Elaine was born January 8, 1943 to Joel Roberts and Ida Smith of Centerville, Utah. She was the 4th of 5 children. Elaine had a happy childhood with wonderful memories of family trips to Strawberry Reservoir, Yellowstone, and hunting and fishing with her parents. Her family owned the grocery store and coffee shop on Centerville Main Street where she would help cook and clean after school. She took dance and piano lessons, but in her own words would rather be outside climbing trees, shooting hoops, making huts, and playing baseball with the neighbor boys. Her athletic prowess led the local boys to give her the nickname “Rex” after the boxer Rex Lane. She and her best buddy Konnie would grab their pocketknives and roam throughout Centerville looking for adventure and getting into mischief. She said the best Christmas present she ever received was a BB gun. Even after moving to Bountiful upon Larry’s retirement, Mom was always a Centerville girl at heart.
While attending Bountiful High, a handsome football player caught her eye in history class. It was love at first sight for Elaine and it was the beginning of a devoted love story that lasted over 60 years.
While waiting for Larry to complete his mission, Elaine attended BYU for one year, worked and eventually received her cosmetology license. To help support her kids going on their missions, she worked at Carr Printing, Hogan and Tingey Construction and Beehive Clothing, but her favorite job was being a devoted spouse and mother.
Larry and Elaine were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on March 11, 1964. In 1967, they purchased the old Smith pioneer home built by her grandparents in the heart of Centerville. This home became the center of their lives and was full of love and fighting and laughter and learning and devotion to the Lord. Mom was a wonderful cook, immaculate housekeeper and could bottle or can everything Larry could grow on that acre lot and still somehow have a spotless kitchen every night before bed. Together they raised 7 rambunctious kids, spoiled 28 beloved grandchildren, and delighted in 6 precious great grandkids. She offered each of us a phenomenal amount of unconditional love and service.
Elaine loved big adventures, but was also the master of simple pleasures. She loved the San Diego beach, hiking in the national parks and taking long rides to look at the aspen trees. She had an immense appreciation for the beauties of the earth and loved doing anything outside. She had a legendary sweet tooth and always had a yummy treat squirreled away for safe keeping. She was a loving, devoted Mom and Grandma and the ultimate cheerleader at every ballgame, recital, or concert. Lunch with her sisters was always a highlight.
Elaine cherished the time spent with Larry as they served as ordinance workers in the Bountiful Temple, and she thought Dad looked like “Prince Charming” in his white temple suit. She was a devoted disciple of our Savior Jesus Christ, and she preached the Gospel through her actions. We never doubted her faith or testimony.
“Smith” as Larry called her, displayed amazing strength and fortitude throughout many years of health challenges and she is the strongest, most determined woman we know. We will forever admire her courage as she faced her health concerns with grace and dignity. We will miss her kind, gentle nature, and concern for each one of us more than words can say.
Elaine is survived by her husband Larry, their 7 children and spouses- Brady and Susan Brown, J.D. and Julie Brown, Wendy and Greg Fenn, Rodney and Shyloh Brown, Randy and Angie Brown, Kristy and Clint Browning and Scott and Danae Brown, 28 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren and her best friends – her sisters Irene Longson and Myrna Bruce.
We express our deepest thanks to Dr. Tyler Williams and Dignity Health for their tender care of Mom and Dad.
A viewing will be held Sunday, December 19, 2021, from 6:00-8:00 pm at Russon Mortuary 295 Main Street Bountiful, Utah. Funeral services will be held Monday, December 20, 2021, at 12:00 noon with a viewing prior from 10:30-11:30 am at the Val Verda 1st Ward Chapel, 2633 South 50 West, Bountiful, Utah. Masks are requested. Interment will be at the Centerville City Cemetery.
Services will be streamed live on the Russon Brothers Mortuary Facebook page with a link posted on this page at 11:45 am.