LuJuana Mae Pearson Smith died peacefully at her home in Socorro, New Mexico on November 7, 2015 at the age of 85. LuJuana was born to Karl Emil and Lula Jane Bushnell Pearson on October 21, 1930 in Meadow, Utah. She was preceded in death by her parents, and siblings: Van Dale Pearson, Nona Pearson Chesley, Stanley K.E. Pearson, and Daryl Howard Pearson.
LuJuana grew up in Meadow, Utah and moved to Delta when she was in 1st grade. She graduated from Delta High School in 1948. As a young woman she enjoyed going to dances and participating in theater.
She met her future husband, Joel, an art student, when they were both attending BYU. They were married in Las Vegas, Nevada on August 26, 1950 and began a life together filled with many good times and memories.
LuJuana received her Bachelor’s and Master’s from Western Illinois University and went on to become the Director of Foreign Student Admissions at WIU. She loved meeting and hosting students from all over the world. Her job took her to many countries, including Korea, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Turkey, and Germany. She had a special fondness for Mexico and traveled there several times outside of work.
LuJuana and Joel lived in seven states and one province: Utah, California, Texas, Idaho, Ohio, Illinois, New Mexico and British Columbia. After all the traveling and moving she did in her life, she said she wanted to be buried in Meadow because it would feel like “going home at last”.
She was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother and a great friend to all who knew her. She loved birdwatching, her pets, cross-stitch, playing games, doing puzzles, history, discussing politics and current events, reading , traveling and visiting with friends and family. She had a great sense of humor, loved to tell stories, and was always ready for a bit of fun.
She is survived by her husband of 65 years: Joseph Loraine “Joel” Smith of Socorro, New Mexico; her son: Courtney David Smith of Las Vegas, Nevada; her daughter and son-in-law: Karin and Mike Fort of Socorro, New Mexico; and her grandchildren: Courtney Donovan Smith, and Caleb, Skye, and Max Fort.
Her favorite charities included the Animal Humane Society and Friends of the Library. Remembrances in lieu of flowers may be made to local chapters.
A Graveside Service will be held Saturday, November 14, at 3:00 pm, at the Meadow Cemetery. A Viewing will be held from 1:00-2:00 pm, at the Nickle Mortuary in Delta, before traveling to the cemetery.