Helen Rose Smith (92) of Springfield, formerly of Neoga

Helen Rose Smith 92, of Springfield, Illinois, formerly of Neoga, Illinois passed away at 2:20 PM Friday, November 17, 2023 in HSHS St. John's Hospital in Springfield, Illinois.

She was born November 9, 1931 in Coles County, Illinois the daughter of Mearl and Violet (Keller) White. Rose married George Cross in Neoga, Illinois; she later married Don Edwards in Neoga, Illinois; Rose married Carl Smith in Shelbyville, Illinois. Rose worked as a cashier for Neoga IGA for ten years and at Martins IGA in Effingham, Illinois for nineteen years. She was a 60 year member and a past president of the Neoga American Legion; a member of the Moose Club and Elks Club both of Charleston, Illinois, the Rebekah Lodge of Mattoon, Illinois and the V.F.W. Auxiliary of Effingham and Stewardson Strasburg, Illinois.

She is survived by her daughters, Sharon (Wayne) Monroe of Neoga, Illinois, Linda (Steve) Gentry of Neoga, Illinois , Joyce (Sam) Strader of Springfield, Illinois, Nancy (Glen) Tryon of Camp Point, Illinois and Janice (Nicholas) Niemeyer of Teutopolis, Illinois; eleven grandchildren; twenty seven great grandchildren; nine great great grandchildren; brothers, Virgil (Loretta) White of Toledo, Illinois and Loren White of Mattoon, Illinois; sister in laws, Wanda White of Mattoon, Illinois and Joann White of Neoga, Illinois; daughter in law, Kathryn Cross of Mattoon, Illinois; several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, George Cross, Don Edwards and Carl Smith; son, Rick Cross; brothers, Vernon White, Clarence White and Herschel White; sister, Blanche Titus; one grandson; one granddaughter in law; sister in law, Sharon White; brother in law, Ralph Titus; one great great grandson.

Funeral Service will be held at 12:00 PM Saturday November 25, 2023 in the Swengel - O’Dell Funeral Home in Neoga, Illinois. Visitation will be Saturday November 25, 2023 from 10:00 AM until service time also at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Long Point Cemetery in Neoga Twp., Illinois. Memorials are suggested to the Neoga American Legion Auxiliary.

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