My mother, Sandra Lynne Smith, was a remarkable woman. In 2008, she compiled a series of essays, life history and college papers into a life history. This was in response to my youngest daughter, Emma, asking her grandmother about her life. Since then, I have collected her writings, made minimal edits, and inserted as many photos as I could find, to bring my mother’s story to life. In addition, I’ve included family history information about both my parent’s ancestors.