Julia Lea Smith

Julia Lea (Henderliter) Smith aka Judy, 81 of Canton, passed away peacefully in her home on Tuesday, May 2, 2017.
She was born on November 9, 1935 in Cuba, the daughter of Claude and Jennie F. (Bartlet) Henderliter. She married Jerimiah W. Johnson at Fiatt, IL on March 3, 1951, they were married for 49 years. He preceded her in death on the 17th of November, 2000. She later married Homer Smith Jr. in June of 2002. He preceded her in death on August 20, 2016.
Surviving are two daughters, Robin Sue (Tom) LeFabvre of Galesburg, IL, and Kimberly Ann (Donald) Nordholz of Brownsburg, IN, also her very special niece Laura Mcmahen of Canton, IL; ten grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, James and John; two sisters, Dorthy and Elouise; and one son, Jerry Arthur Johnson.
Julia was an avid writer producing several children’s plays, many poems and three books that include, “A Duck In My Sink” and the “Lure of the Sea” which tells the story of her three year boat trip with Jerimiah that began in Lacon, IL and ended on the east coast of Florida.
Julia loved to garden and collect antiques. She was a member of Fulton County Unit 30 of Illinois Retired Teachers Association, an election judge of Women’s Republican Party and a member of Temple Baptist Church.
Graveside Services and burial will be at 1:00 PM on Saturday, May 13, 2017 at Bethel Cemetery in rural Canton. A Celebration of Life service will follow the graveside services at Big Racks Steakhouse in Canton. Cremation rites will be accorded through Sedgwick Funeral Homes & Crematory. Memorials can be made to Donor’s Choice. To view Julia’s DVD or to leave online condolences please visit www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com