Norma Jean (Phelps) Smith

1951-2022

Norma Jean (Phelps) Smith, 71, of Salome, Arizona and Hereford, CO, born November 12, 1951, passed away December 28, 2022.

She was born in Wheatland, WY to Preble and Norma Phelps. She graduated high school from East High School in Cheyenne, WY in 1970 and graduated from the University of Wyoming with a business education degree in 1975. She then taught business for 3 years in Rawlins, WY. On June 17, 1978, she married Gary W. Smith of Carpenter, WY. She then taught business in Grover, CO for 3 years before becoming a mother and farm wife. She spent 27 years as a postal rural route carrier in Carpenter, WY while also working on and supporting the family farm.

Norma and Gary retired in 2016 and began spending winters in Arizona. They enjoyed riding side-by-side in the desert. She also enjoyed crafting, beading, embroidery, ceramics, and sewing. She continued to be a teacher of all of her crafty ways, teaching anyone who wanted to learn, from 4-H kids in Colorado and Wyoming, to the snowbird ladies of Arizona.

Norma was preceded in death by her parents, 2 brothers, and 1 sister. She is survived and missed by her husband Gary W. Smith of Salome, AZ; her children Rebecca (Justin) Talmadge and Jason (Lisa) Smith of Carpenter, WY, and Allison (Michael) Greer of LaSalle, CO; her grandchildren Jared and Rachel Talmadge, and Lexi, Jordan, and Lacy Smith; her step-grandchildren Adam (Savannah) (Archibald) Greer, Brody (Ashley) Greer, Rachel (James) Dean; step-great-grandchildren Blake and Harper Greer, Otis and Nova Dean; her 2 sisters and 3 brothers, their spouses, children and a large extended family.

A remembrance will be held Monday, January 2nd, 2023, in Salome, Arizona at the Desert Palms Community building from 11 am-1 pm, followed by a remembrance ride. Burial with a service will be held at the Carpenter Cemetery in Carpenter, Wyoming on February 3, 2023.