Geraldine Roslie (Smith) Oba

VALLEY — Longtime San Luis Valley resident Geraldine Oba was born on Norton Ranch in Conejos, Sept. 7, 1926. She passed away peacefully on May 4, 2019 at the evergreen Nursing Home in Alamosa.

Geraldine was a wonderful mother of nine children and a consummate homemaker. Although her life was stricken with tragedy and adversity, she remained strong in her faith and perseverance.

She and her late husband, Hubert Smith, had eight beautiful children, two of whom were tragically lost at very young ages. More heartbreak followed due to the untimely death of her husband at the early age of 34. Geraldine was forced to raise her surviving six children alone, teaching them the true definition of strength, devotion, and love.

Eight years later she married Henry (Hank) Oba and together had a daughter. They owned and operated the Green Spot and Oba Produce for many years. Her children and grandchildren fondly remember her as an excellent cook, a talented seamstress and embroiderer, an avid gardener and reader, and most importantly, a woman of faith.

Geraldine was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was sealed to her first husband and children for time and all eternity in Mesa, Ariz.temple. She dedicated her life to serving in the Primary, Relief Society, and various other organizations within the church.

She is survived by her children and their spouses; Roberta (Keith) Layton, Alamosa, Dwight Smith, Alamosa, Louis (Pam) Smith, Palmrya, Mo., Alvie Smith, Olathe, Vera Lingerich, Colorado Springs, Leona (Dan) Schmeidler, Midvale, Utah, and Yuki (Kenny) Spilker, Sandy, Utah. She also left behind her brother John (Shirley) Sumner, 16 loving grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

In addition to her parents, Leona and John Sumner, she was preceded in death by her husband, Hubert Smith, her second husband, Henry (Hank) Oba, two children, four grandchildren, her sister Marie Ryker, and her two brothers, Harold and Charles Sumner.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, May 9 at 11 a.m. at the Alamosa Stake Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 927 Weber Drive. Visitation will precede the services in the Relief Society room from 10-10:45 a.m. Internment will take place in the Sanford Cemetery following the funeral.

The family would like to express a special thanks to Roberta Layton and her family, Dr. William Brinton, and to the staff of Evergreen Nursing Home for all of their loving car and dedicated service.

Rogers Family Mortuary of Alamosa is in care of the arrangements. To leave online condolences or words of encouragement for the family visit www.rogersfunerals.com.