Daisy Mae Smith

When I stand before God

at the end of my life,

I would hope that I would not have

a single bit of talent left, and could say,

“I used everything you gave me.”

-Erma Bombeck

And that’s just what she did!

Daisy Mae Smith was born October 22, 1925, to Bessie and William Skelley, in Huntington Beach, California. It was realized at the tender age of two that Daisy Mae was something special. Upon the float her father made by hand, she won first prize in the baby contest in the city-wide 4th of July parade. It was at that moment, a star was born.

With her newfound primordial fame, Daisy Mae discovered that her beauty and talents penetrated far beneath her outward appearance. Music was, and always had been, the pillars that rose from the foundation of her family’s reverence for God. Raised a devout Christian, music was the vehicle that transported Daisy’s love into the audiences in which she and her sister Betty Jo entertained over the years. Betty Jo would play piano, while Daisy Mae played the violin because Daisy’s hands were not big enough to reach an octave. Bessie and William could not have been more proud.

Although she was raised in humble surroundings, the love within could not be contained. With that love, also came patience, as Daisy Mae was known to be quite rebellious! In fact, Bessie and William crafted her a naughty chair where she spent most of her time, just outside the kitchen. Those who know her best would agree that she never outgrew her feisty reputation.

After the untimely death of her father, Bessie decided to move her girls to Boulder, Colorado. As Daisy Mae walked into her homeroom, she caught the eye of a young, outgoing local who said, “I’m going to marry that woman!” Turning her nose to the air, Daisy did not give him the time of day, and he loved it. Bob was a fisherman, determined to make this catch. After suffering through ignored advances, Bob finally got his chance… and the rest is history.

With WWII looming in the air, Bob and Daisy, with Bessie in tow, were married in Raton, New Mexico, on September 28, 1942. Bob was deployed soon after, but the two newlyweds found a way to bring Robert Daniel into the world on September 4, 1943 and Linda Jo on July 6, 1945. Upon Bob’s return from the war, the two found themselves navigating life as young parents, relying heavily on the support of Bessie and her sister, Nora. In need of work, Daisy and Bob moved their family to California, at which time Nora Love was born on February 23, 1954. Within a year, Daisy and Bob purchased their home on Obispo, iin Long Beach, California, where they remained for the rest of their lives. Daisy Mae was a homemaker while Bob worked as an insurance salesman and machinist. In 1969, on January 16, Leslie Rene was born, completing the family of six.

Daisy kept an immaculate home, with dinner on the table every night at five o’clock. She led the praise songs at First Christian Church in Bellflower, where her parents were original founders. She continued her music career, singing with the Mother Singers, Chorolettes and the Choral Belles, but her most beloved tunes were those that permeated their home, typically originating from the kitchen. Always eager to learn, Daisy enrolled in art classes at the local college and with brush to canvas, created what Bob and her family considered to be masterpieces. She loved to play board games and cards and could easily spend hours upon hours playing Deuces Wild at the casino. She had an amazing memory and would at any moment recite poetry and scripture, especially her favorites from the book of Psalms and the Beatitudes. She was a fashionista in every sense of the word. There was never a hair out of place, or an accessory mismatched. She was the epitome of classic beauty.

Just before their 70th wedding anniversary, Bob passed away, leaving his lifelong love for the very first time. Not knowing what to expect, and to her loved ones surprise, Daisy rose to the occasion and demanded her own independence. She learned how to pay bills, finding excitement each time she properly filled out a check. Daisy went from being taken care of, to taking care of herself and did not miss a beat.

What a life! What a testimony! What a blessing it was to know and love Daisy Mae Smith. She is survived by her four children; Dan, Linda, Nora, and Leslie, grandchildren; Bill, Natalie, Jennifer, Elizabeth, Allison Love, Benjamin, Rene, Dakota, Robert, and Allison Mae; great-grandchildren Caleb, Jeremiah, Haven, Bethany, Meadow, Angela, Daisy Mae, Bouquet, Bodhi, Adeline, Strummer, Ryker, Gordon, and Birdie.

She was loved unconditionally.