February 23, 1980 – March 10, 2016
“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.” On March 10, 2016, this world lost a virtuous woman as Lenae Lillywhite Smith returned to her Heavenly Father after a tragic ATV accident. She was born on February 23, 1980, in Farmington, New Mexico, to Paul Jay Lillywhite and Bonnie Jean Poulsen Lillywhite. She was the fourth of eight children.
She spent her childhood playing with siblings and friends, drawing, hiking, camping and picnicking with her family. From an early age she exemplified what her Aunt Sheryl described as, “Beauty without arrogance, talent without conceit, kindness without reward.” She was grounded, kind and humble. These attributes inspired her Grandpa Lillywhite to call her his little “goodie weed.” She was known ever after as “Weed.”
The family moved to St. George, Utah, in 1986, and Lenae enjoyed growing up among the red cliffs of Dixie. She graduated from Dixie High School in 1998. She was the Sterling Scholar runner-up in Visual Arts and played volleyball and basketball and ran cross country. She then attended Dixie College and graduated in 2000 Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Art. While at Dixie College she met and fell in love with fellow artist Derek Clyde Smith, the love of her life. They began their forever family on April 10, 1999, when they were married in the St. George Temple. They were blessed with four lovely children – Kaebri (13), Tasia (11), Zade (7), and Trigg (3). Lenae loved her children with all her heart.
Lenae is a superb artist! Her love of art began to flower as a small child, and she loved to share those talents throughout her life. Lenae was professionally commissioned to paint and draw many portraits, caricatures, graphics, and murals over the years. Mostly, she just loved to draw, and drew on everything! She used her love of art to bless others.
Lenae loved spending time with her family. Together they enjoyed being in the outdoors—camping, hiking, hunting, and fishing. They also loved to play together and just laugh, tell jokes and sing funny songs. They loved to cook together, draw together, and read together, and anything that did not involve shopping!
Lenae was a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ. She was a friend to all. Lenae never judged or spoke unkindly of anyone. She was never jealous and found pure joy in others’ happiness. In addition to serving her family and friends, she loved serving her Heavenly Father and ward family in her callings in Young Women’s, Primary and Relief Society.
Lenae is survived by her beloved husband, Derek, her four children, her parents and her siblings Lou Anne (Bryan) Randall, Jared (Brynn) Lillywhite, Jennifer (Ryan) Borrowman, Julene (Lance) Weaver, Lorin (Christie) Lillywhite, Jerel (Kalehua) Lillywhite, and Landon Lillywhite. She is also survived by her grandmothers Anna Lou Lillywhite Kurtz and Mary Delsa Poulsen, her loving in-laws Kevin and Marie Smith, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.
Funeral Services
- Saturday, March 19, 2016, at 11 a.m. at the Bloomington Hills Stake Center located at 1130 E. Brigham Road, St. George, Utah 84790.
- A viewing will be held Friday, March 18, from 6-8 p.m. at the Stake Center, and again on Saturday, before the funeral, on March 19 from 9:30-10:30 a.m.
- Interment will be held in Tonaquint Cemetery under the direction of Southern Utah Mortuary.
Online condolences can be made at www.sumortuary.com.
In lieu of gifts or flowers, donations may be made to the Lenae Smith Fund at https://www.gofundme.com/qftr6kgc, or in the donation bank account at Deseret First Credit Union in her name.
You may also share your memories of Lenae on the Lenae Smith (Lillywhite) Facebook page.