Susan Elizabeth West Smith

A short documentary for a Utah History Class of Parowan, Utah, found on Ancestry.com talks about Susan West's brother, John Anderson West (1830-1917) and his family, including their father, Samuel Walker West (1804-1873), who were some of the original settlers of Parowan, Utah, in the 1850's. Also mentioned in the video was Susan West Smith's husband, George Albert Smith (1817-1875). George was an Apostle in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and cousin to Joseph Smith, Jr., The Prophet, and son of Patriarch, John Smith. Susan was George's 7th wife and they had five daughters together.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3P5k8YSiRwY

Obituary: Susan Elizabeth West, Long, Active, and Useful Life Ends...Pioneer Woman Taken by Death...Widow of Counselor to Brigham Young Closes Career. Surrounded by her loved ones of three generations, Susan Elizabeth West Smith of this city (Salt Lake) passed away October 14, 1926, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. (Clarissa) William Nugent Williams, general president of the LDS Relief Society.

Mrs. Smith was born December 4, 1833, Benton County, Tennessee. She was the daughter of Margaret Cooper and Samuel Walker West, who were descendants of a pioneer Virginia family. Her parents and her grandmother Cooper became connected with the church in 1834, subsequently moving to Nauvoo, Illinois, in 1842. Her parents and family immigrated to Utah in 1851 and went directly to Parowan, Iron County, Utah.

October 28, 1857, she was married to the late George A. Smith, counselor to President Brigham Young, and one of the original pioneers of 1847. For almost 70 years, her home was been in Salt Lake City. Her husband passed away in 1875, leaving her with five daughters, all of whom she educated and raised to womanhood. Mrs. Smith is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Clarisa Smith Williams, 12 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Mrs. Smith was a devoted and industrious member of the Church practically all of her life. She gave freely of her time and substance to promote the welfare of its members, and for over 20 years was a worker in the Salt Lake Temple.

Mrs. Smith was one of the most noble and lovable characters that ever graced the beautiful mountains of Utah. She was always pleasant and cheerful, even in the face of adversity and was loved and respected by a host of friends and relatives, both young and old, scattered throughout the inter-mountain country. During her long and useful life, she was charitable toward all, generous in her attitude to her fellowmen, and goes to the great beyond with the love and gratitude of all with whom she had come in contact.

Mrs. Smith’s funeral will be held at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Williams, 1401 Sigabee Avenue, at 1PM, October 16, 1926. The body may be viewed from 11 to 12:30 o’clock Saturday, the day of the services at the home. Interment will be in the city cemetery, under the direction of the Deseret Mortuary company.

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=43379826