Leona Joyce Smith, 60 passed away peacefully on January 6th, 2024 at the Billings Clinic following her battle with pancreatic cancer, with her husband and family by her side.
Leona was born in Clarkston, WA on January 29, 1963 to David and Maribel Wilks. Many of her relatives still live in this area.
Her family moved to Alaska in 1971. She graduated from Howard Valentine School in Coffman Cove, AK in 1980. She had a daughter Robyn from a previous marriage. While in Alaska, she met and married Kent Smith in December of 1987. The couple had two other children, Kelsey and Cody. The family moved to Worland, WY in 1996 when Kent got out of active service.
Leona started working as Traffic Manager for radio stations KWOR/KKLX in Worland, as well as making the tons of fan gear for the Worland Warriors, when she worked at Signs of Sutherland. She developed a passion for making beaded jewelry, and had her own business "Lee Jewels" that you saw at every craft show in the Big Horn Basin.
Leona was preceded in death by her parents and a younger brother James.
She is survived her husband Kent of Worland, and daughters Robyn (Eric) Stoddard of Amarillo, TX, and Kelsey (Erik) Kern of Sheridan, WY and son Cody (Tempe) Smith of Buffalo, WY, as well as granddaughter Lexi Stoddard. She is also survived by her older brother Randy (Florida), as well as numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews, and her beloved cat "Bob".
Cremation has taken place. Services for family and friends will be held at Bryant Funeral Home at 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 13th in Worland.
Memorial donations may be made to your local Playing for Hope Foundation, or the WTS Chamber of Commerce. Please send checks to PO Box 524 Worland, Wyoming 82401. Online condolences may be made at http://www.bryantfuneralhome
online.com.