Linda Mae Smith-belprez

May 2, 1945 — Jan. 11, 2021

Linda Mae Smith-belprez, formerly of Columbia, died Jan. 11, 2021, at the home she shared with her daughter, Dee, in Dayton, Ohio. She was 75.

She was preceded in death by first husband, John Smith, brother Raymond Hattabaugh and her beloved “Hombre”, Victor Belprez.

Born in Venice, California, Linda attended Venice High School, during which time she went on a surprise 16th birthday date with one of her favorite TV stars, Bob Denver, aka Maynard G. Krebs on “Dobie Gillis” (and later famous as “Gilligan”), which was arranged by her stepdad, Mac, an electrician at several Hollywood television studios. After brother Joe introduced her to his good Navy buddy, Linda married John Smith in 1963, and they later moved to Sonora with their two young children, Dean and Dee. John died in 1976, and the following year Linda met her daughter’s sixthgrade teacher, Victor Belprez, at the school carnival, finding love with the man she would happily spend the next 42 years with, until his death in 2017.

She loved her ipad, cooking, gardening, Scrabble, cribbage, and searching for treasures to complement the eclectic array of vintage and antique pieces that made her home always inviting and interesting. Linda remained a diverse, energetic lady throughout the years: Avon lady, Shaklee lady, childcare lady, consignment lady, egg lady, peachstand lady, and Boss Lady at her former Columbia gift shop, Cute and Quaint. She also managed the books for Victor’s long time chimneysweep business, and along with him raised chickens, coached adult softball for many years, and enjoyed vacationing in Mexico. In the 1980s, she performed in some Columbia College plays (especially delighting in portraying a munchkin — go figure!), and she even rode a camel last year.

Linda possessed an empathetic and forgiving soul, garnering her abundant emotional strength through her unfaltering faith in God. She is survived by brother Joe Hattabaugh and sister Bobette Lloyd, children Dean Smith and Dee Smith, grandchildren Adrienne de los Santos, Zach (Heather) de los Santos, and her precious great-grandson, Thomas. Instilled with an immense affection for animals that fostered many furry and feathered friendships over the years, Linda also leaves behind her feline child, Pinky, and devoted granddoggies, Bucket and Beetle Bailey.

She was cremated and has been privately interred at Shaws Flat Cemetery, where she now rests peacefully alongside the loves of her life.

Godspeed, Boss Lady.