Margery Smith

MARGERY HEYER SMITH

Margery Heyer was born September 13, 1920 to Henry and Anna Thornquist Heyer at their farm home near Gordon, Nebraska. Margery had an older sister, Elaine, and a younger brother, Dean. She passed away January 23, 2020 at Grove, Oklahoma.

Margery attended the first eight grades at the Sunny Knoll School. She then attended Gordon High School and graduated in 1938. She took the Normal Training Course in high school so out of high school she taught 5 years in rural schools in Sheridan County and attended Chadron State College in the summers.

In 1943 Margery decided to attend a communications school in Omaha. This resulted in employment by the Union Pacific Railroad at Sidney, NE. After two years Margery decided teaching was her preference so she returned to the classroom. She attended Chadron State College and graduated in 1951 receiving a B.S. degree in education. While attending college Margery was an active member of Alph Phi sorority, Cardinal Key, and Sigma Delta Nu. Margery taught in Minatare, NE, Shenandoah, IA, Brule, NE and 22 years in the Gordon Public Schools. She taught for a total of 34 years.

Margery and George Smith were married in 1951. They lived in Ogallala, NE, where their son Gary was born. In 1962 they moved to Gordon to be near Margery’s parents. During that time Margery taught in the Gordon School and George was employed by Bower Plumbing and Electric later to be known as Evert Electric.

George and Margery lived in the Sunny Knoll community until 1993 when they moved into town due to George having a stroke. George and Margery’s son Gary, who passed away August 24, 2000 and George Sr. passed away May 6, 2002.

Margery has two step-children, George Smith Jr. (deceased) and Lila Smith Lieurance. George Jr’s wife, Shirley Smith and Charles and Lila Lieurance all reside in West Fork, Arkansas. Margery has two grandchildren, Candace Smith Dempsey and Chad Smith. Candace and her husband, Otis, have three children, Jordan, Austin and Dallas. Chad and his wife, Dawn, have three children, Trey, Colton, and Kahler. There are five step grandchildren, Damon and Darin Lieurance, Keely Ellsworth, Kent Smith and Kendra Nebeker.

Margery was a member of the Presbyterian Church, the Friends in Harmony Circle, the Rebekah Lodge for over 60 years, R.Y. B. Club, Just for Fun Club, and a member of Delta Kappa Gamma for over 20 years. Margery was member of the Sunny Knoll Club, her grandmothers, Mrs. Paul Heyer and Mrs. C. A. Thornquist, were both charter members of the Sunny Knoll Club which was organized in 1915.

She is survived by granddaughter Candace (Otis) Smith Dempsey of Grove, OK, and grandson Chad (Dawn) Smith of Bartlesville, OK, and great granddaughter Kahler Smith, great grandsons Trey Smith, Colton Smith, Jordan Dempsey, Austin Dempsey and Dallas Dempsey, great-great granddaughter Aubree Dempsey.  a sister-in-law Mayme Heyer of Beaverton, OR, step-daughter Lila Lieurance and husband Charles Lieurance of West Fork AR and Shirley Smith, wife of the late George Smith Jr., of West Fork, AR.

A memorial has been established for the First Presbyterian Church and donations may be sent in care of Chamberlain-Pier Funeral Home, PO Box 366, Gordon, NE 69343.