Thelma Inez Smoot

Mrs. Thelma Inez Smoot, age 101, of Ocean Springs, MS., passed away on Thursday, March 5, 2009, in Vancleave. Thelma was born in Portland, Oregon, on December 5, 1907. She moved to the Imperial Valley, CA., with her family in 1914, where she lived until she moved to Ocean Springs, MS., in 1997. She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, John Magruder Smoot, her parents, Frank and Vivian Nutbrown, brother, Richard Nutbrown, sister, Alna Simmons and grandson, Robert John Graetz. Survivors include her daughter, Phyllis Jean Luter, granddaughter, Jerilyn (Wayne) Henry, six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She was lovingly cared for by Karen Richards, Aileen Dewberry and Jessie Bang in their personal care home in Vancleave for the last three years of her life. On Saturday, March 21, 2009, there will be a 2 PM graveside service in Evergreen Cemetery in Ocean Springs. The Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.