Phyllis Smith-Lathrop, 93 of Vancouver, WA, passed away on Wednesday, January 16, 2019 surrounded by her loving family.
Phyllis was also known to many as “Sweetie.” And she was just that . . . Our Sweetie. She was born in Carpenter, So. Dakota on October 6, 1925 to Harvey and Goldie Wicks. After growing up on the family farm in Carpenter, she moved to Portland, Oregon and soon met her future husband, Cleo McCarty. She later had a son, Lon H. McCarty, who was the light of her life. After Lon was grown, she married Harold W. Smith. They had a wonderful life together until his untimely death at age 67. In her later years, Sweetie met Raymond Lathrop, while taking group dancing lessons at the senior center. They were happily married in May of 1998. They lived their daily lives traveling, seeing new and marvelous sights, and visiting their extensive families. They both looked forward to attending the family reunion in Carpenter, So. Dakota every year. They always remembered how they first met, and loved nothing more than dancing in each others arms.
Sweetie was a loving and devoted Grandmother who was loved by all her Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren, and Great Great Grandchildren. She had many interests, including music, singing, and dancing. She loved pretty music, but her favorite was country music. She would break in to dance anytime she heard ‘Elvira’ or ‘Achy Breaky Heart’ . . . She would turn that volume up! She also had a very keen sense of humor and wit, and loved using that humor throughout her life. She loved to be the life of the party and to entertain those around her. She did this by dancing, wearing strange festive little hats, singing, yodeling, and quite possibly . . . All the above at the same time! Sweetie had a way of making things look bright, even during dismal times.
Sweetie is survived by her husband, Raymond Lathrop, her son Lon (Ebben) McCarty, and many step children, Grandchildren, Nieces and nephews. She loved them all, dearly. She is also survived by her brothers Gordon (Betty) Wicks, Milo (Lois) Wicks, Larry Wicks, and her sister, Ione Gamber. Preceding her in death were her parents, Harvey and Goldie Wicks, brothers Kenneth Wicks, and Roland Wicks.
Thank you to everyone at Parkview Memory Care for your kindness and compassion towards Sweetie. Thank you also to Adventist Hospital and the staff, nurses and Doctors, especially Dr. Lippert. A simple heartfelt thank you goes to her night nurse, Ruthie.
Sweetie, you will be deeply missed, and forever loved, and carried in our hearts.