Beverly Jean Smith

Beverly Jean Smith

December 27,1931-December 2,2025

Beverly Jean Smith, age 93 of Eckert, Colorado passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, December2, 2025

Beverly Jean was born in Flemington MO to Walter Raliegh and Opal (Christoper) Gourley. She spent her younger years in Colorado Springs. Where her father enlisted in the Navy the family began to move and continued as he was discharged and to the ministry. She attended schools in Colorado, California, Oregon and Utah encompassing 20 schools. Leaving Colorado Springs HS she in enrolled in the BSN Program at Colorado University, Boulder after 2 years she transferred to the University of California, Berkely where she complete her nursing program at the University Hospital in San Francisco. Graduating with a BSN, RN, PHN, and Teaching Certificate in Life and Development (School Nurse).

Following a year of work and savings she and her friend spent three-month touring Europe.

Upon their return they settled in Marin County, CA Where she met William (Bill) Smith. They were married in 1957; Tracey was born in 1958 followed by son Kurtis in 1961. The family enjoyed outdoor activities including water skiing, fishing and most of all traveling in their RV. They eventually traded motorboats for sail boats. The love of water continued as the became certified divers and chartered sailboats in the Caribbean and Mexico.

Beverly Jean returned, working as a registered nurse once the children were in school, and then went to back to college to become a Nurse Practitioner in women’s Health. She continued working in Various clinics and at California State University at Hayward where she retired.

In 1997, she and Bill Moved from Northern California to Colorado, and built a home in Eckert. She enjoyed traveling on ocean and river rips, visiting six of the seven continents. At home she loved to garden and fish and especially loved reading which she was able to continue with the help of Colorado Talking Books. She was a member of P.E.O., Untied Methodist Women, Plant and dig Garden Club, Surface Creek Lions. Cedaredge Women’s Literary Club A.A.U.W.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her infant brother and her son-in-law Ted J Klaver.

Beverly Jean is survived by her husband Bill; daughter Tracey; son Kurtis Smith (Karen Walls); grandson Justin Smith (Virginia) Great-grandchildren Rowan and Lucille; Granddaughter Rachel Marszaleks (Matt).

In Lieu of Flowers donations may be made to Macular Degeneration Research (brightfoucs.org) of Colorado Talking Book Library (180 Sheridan Blvd, Denver CO 80226)

A celebration of her life will be held at the Delta Untied Methodist Church on Friday, January 16th 2026 at 11:00am