Alberta Smith

Alberta Rose Cussins Smith was born Sept. 13, 1927 in Cheyenne, Laramie, WY, to Albert Alvin Cussins & Rosalia Sophia Schmidt as their first child, hence her name, Alberta for her father and Rose for her mother. Bert spent most of her growing up in the community of Willowcreek, OR.

Bert passed peacefully in her sleep in the evening of Nov. 16, 2017, having celebrated her 90th birthday with her loved ones earlier this summer.

Bert was married to Ernest David Smith at the end of WWII and together they raised six children. Their life was spent together in Vale, OR, Parma, ID, Nyssa, OR, Ontario, OR, Blackfoot, ID, Twin Falls, ID, and Hammett, ID. They lived their retirement years in Nampa, ID with widowed Bert living singly in Meridian, ID.

They lived the lives of diligent farmers until they began their careers in grocery retail in 1963. Bert retired from Safeway & Buttery’s and Ernie was forced into retirement after becoming completely disabled due to a heart attack in 1976. They chose to own & operate Bert & Ernie’s mom & pop grocery in Hammett, ID and sold it and retired finally.

Bert & Ernie always had room in their home for additional children through the years and no one that ever entered left their home hungry. Bert & Ernie were a devoted couple; ever loyal.

Their union was ‘made in Heaven … just as were thunder and lightning!’

In her later years Bert became involved in the Justice system by becoming a volunteer child advocate for children involved in Elmore County court proceedings. She loved doing that and was happy that she finally had time to ‘give back’ to her beloved community.

Bert was active in the Hammett Community Church for many years and Ernie’s final services were held there. Bert was a lifelong avid reader.

Bert will be missed by us all.

She could light up a room with her raucous infectious laughter! In later years, her stories became infamous for their incredulity! While not demonstrative with her affections she was fierce in her loyalty & devotion to her whole & extended family!

Bert was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ernest Smith, her daughter Bertie Mraz, brothers Dean & Richard Cussins, granddaughter Susannah Cravens and several beloved in-laws, nephews and extended family. And

Bert is survived by sons David Smith (Janie), Robert Smith, Stacy Smith, & daughters Sandra Mitchell & Kathryn Cravens along with their extended families. Also, she is survived by brothers Robert Cussins & Ronald Cussins (Nancy) & sister-in-law Mildred C Smith Lane.

A funeral service for Alberta Cussins Smith will be held Friday, Dec. 1, 2017 at 10 am, burial to follow with graveside dedication in Glenn’s Ferry Cemetery at 3 p.m. A viewing will be held Thursday, Nov. 30, from 5-8 p.m.

Services & viewing will be at Summers Funeral Home 3629 E Ustick Road, Meridian, ID 83646. 208-898-0642.