Afton Watson Mikkelsen Smith, our loving Mother, Grandmother, and friend returned to her Heavenly Home on November 7, 2006.

Afton was born of goodly parents to Joseph Franklin Watson and Mary Ann Pack on August 15, 1917. She was their sixth child, having one brother and four sisters. She was lovingly raised in Smithfield, Utah, where she attended school and church. Afton was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She truly loved her Heavenly Father.

Afton married her childhood sweetheart, Leland Orville Mikkelsen. They also made their home in Smithfield and raised their three children, Dixie, Jeanie, and Michael. After the sudden passing of Leland, Afton married and was sealed to her best friend and forever companion, Asell Chugg Smith. Asell’s four children, Janet, Rhonda, Clyde, and Clair were added to her family. Asell and Afton lived many years together making a warm home for all who visited.

Afton was very talented; cooking, sewing and crocheting her way into everyone’s heart. She loved her garden, growing beautiful flowers, vegetables and fruit, then sharing her bounty with those she loved. She truly made her home a bit of heaven on earth. Church, family and friends were her life. She will surely be missed by all.

She is survived by her children: Dixie Lee Hodgin; Jeanie (Richard) Taylor; and Michael Leland (Janice) Mikkelsen; twelve grandchildren; thirty-one great grandchildren; and one great-great granddaughter. She is also survived by her stepchildren: Rhonda (Terry) Cronquist; Clyde (Patti) Smith; and Clair (Jenny) Smith.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, November 10, 2006 at the Smithfield 10th Ward Chapel, 345 East 300 South, with Bishop Peter Krusi conducting. A viewing will be held Thursday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at Nelson Funeral Home, 85 South Main, Smithfield and Friday morning from 11:30 to 12:30 p.m. at the church prior to services. Interment will be in the Smithfield City Cemetery. Condolences may be extended to the family online at Nelson Funeral Home.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to family, friends and neighbors and to the hospice aides, who showed such love and kindness as they tenderly cared for Afton.