Anita Louise Smith

Anita Louise Smith, 79, of Redlands, California passed away peacefully on November 4, 2017 with family at her side.
Born March 9, 1938, in Redlands, California to the late Dale McKee and Vera Watson McKee of Mentone, CA. She graduated from Redlands High School in 1956, San Bernardino Valley College in 1961, and with a BA in Art from California State University, San Bernardino in 1994.
Anita was an artist! She loved to paint using oils, acrylics, watercolors, and more. She was a creative soul that learned early how to sew and design clothing, combine colors, and create joy. She later moved to visual art and would study famous artist to help create a style all her own. After earning her degree in Art, she opened an gift store and art gallery in the local mountains with her daughter, which they had for 18 years. She would surround herself with other artists, spiritual thinkers, and creative friends. She volunteered with the Redland’s Art Association and the Redlands HS reunion committees. In her later years, she enjoyed continuing to paint with her friends at the Redlands’ Senior Center.
Outside art, she enjoyed reading spiritual philosophies, cooking, and gardening. Her joy was often just sitting with friends at the local coffee house talking about family and the many blessings this life has to give.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 35 years, Gary W Smith in 1996. She is survived by her brother, Roy McKee and his wife, Janice, of Atascadero, CA; her son Glenn W Smith and his partner Stephanie Truschel, of CedarPines Park, CA; her daughter M. Zenah Morgan-Smith of Running Springs, CA; and a niece, a nephew, three grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
The family would like to thank friend-of-the-family Mandy Olivarez, Jacklyn Kehoe, RN and the team at Vitas Hospice for their dedicated care of our mother, sister, and friend.
Services will be Saturday, November 18th at Emmerson Bartlett Memorial Chapel, 11:00 am. Private interment will be at Hillside Cemetery in Redlands.