Elaine (Sanders) Smith

Elaine Sanders Smith, age 88, beloved aunt, sister, friend and Girl Scout, was called to her eternal resting place on Tuesday, February 19, 2019. She entered this world on Monday, February 2, 1931 in Portales, NM, born to John Maury (Sweat) and Irva Sanders. Elaine attended Portales Grade School, Junior High and High School, after which she attended Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU). She graduated with a BA in Physical Education in 1953 and began teaching at Artesia Junior High School for the next three years. In 1956, she was injured in an automobile accident, which resulted in permanent damage to her right arm and hand. After many surgeries, Elaine was able to return to ENMU in 1959 and obtain her Masters Degree in Elementary Education in 1960. Elaine had spent three summers between 1951-1953 working as a camp counselor at a Girl Scout camp in Indiana and was then invited back by the Executive Director of the Girl Scout Council to be a Field Director on her final staff. She was hired as a Membership Director with the Sybaquay Girl Scout Council in Elgin, Il while searching for a teaching position. Elaine worked in Elgin from 1961 until 1968, when she began working as a Girl Scout staff member in the DuPage County Council, where she retired from that position in 1993. After retiring, Elaine continued volunteering with the Girl Scouts for several years. In 2004, Elaine returned to Portales, NM to be closer to family. Due to medical reasons, she moved to Rio Rancho, NM in 2015, where she resided at Retreat Gardens Assisted Living.

Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Bob and Larry Sanders and her ex-husband, Dean Smith. Elaine is survived by her sister, Linda McIntire of Roswell, NM; nieces and nephews, Martha Klopfenstein (Tim), Maury Sanders (Sue), Sue Smith (Everett), Kim Webster, Tammy Sroufe, Shane Sanders (Dianna), Sonja Teague (Craig), Christian McIntire, Ross McIntire, John McIntire (Natalie) and numerous great nieces and nephews, as well as other extended family members and many friends from her career with the Girl Scouts. If you wish to make memorial contributions, Elaine was particularly fond of The Girl Scouts of America, The Susan G. Komen Foundation, The Humane Society or a pet rescue of your choice.

Elaine will be laid to rest next to her parents on Saturday, March 2, 2019, 2:00 p.m. in the Portales Cemetery at 1600 E 3rd St. Portales, NM 88130.

The family would like to thank the Director and staff of the Retreat Gardens Assisted Living for the loving and tender care Elaine received during the duration of her time there.