Tributes

Laura Michelle "Shelly" Smiley was born at Kern County General Hospital in Bakersfield California to Rolland Eldridge Howell and Maxine La Verne Hulse Howell. She married Thomas Bruce Smiley on September 3, 1988 at Lake Tahoe, Nevada. She passed peacefully at sunset, January 17, 2014 at her home in Desert Hot Springs, California with Chaplain Alan Singing some of her favorite songs and husband Tom Smiley, brother Larry Howell, Niece Kimberly Bretz by her side. Laura had several occupations through her life. Dental Assistant, then became a Car Leasing Agent where her love of cars was fulfilled, Laura's knowledge of automobiles was wide and varied. She also was a state certified car sales person and had technical inspection licenses for taking manufactured vehicles from factory to delivery. Laura's last profession was that of Service Coordinator for Palm Valley Home Owners Association. Facilitating repair and maintenance of client properties. Her special talents were caring for customer needs to completion with the personal care as well as professional diligence. Home Owners had great confidence when Laura was handling the situation. She was Loved by coworkers and contractors alike for tenacious and caring application of her knowledge and skills. Laura was using her nickname of Shelly for at least 40 years professionally and personally, short for Michelle. She loved to make friends and was always trying to help people in her life have a better one. She had two Volkswagens she loved to zip around in. Her love of cars started in High School with friends in Car Clubs and working on Dragsters. As a young woman, Laura, was an accomplished speed skater and was interested in competition at one time. Once again cars and racing interested her as she moved into Dirt Bikes, fast Ski Boats and high end cars she leased. Laura was given a family nickname of "Butterfly" by her Great-Grandmother Rosa Mae Russell Hughey (born in 1880, a pioneer woman who passed away in 1967 when Laura was 16 years old). It has always been known within the family that Grandma Hughey thought Laura was a lot like her. She spent a lot of time as a girl flitting from one interest to another, a flower, a bird, a butterfly, and rainbow much like a butterfly happily going about it's time on earth. Hobbies and interests were never pursued without passion for Laura. Her last and best hobby was her "Iron Butterfly" Harley-Davidson. Laura was a lifelong California resident, living in places such as El Segundo through High School. Then Garden Grove, Laguna Beach, Tustin, and Orange. Settling in Desert Hot Springs in 1999 until she passed. Laura will be cremated and a memorial service will be held at Palm Valley, 76501 Begonia Lane, Palm Desert, California 92211, on Saturday, January 25, 2014 at 1:30 in the afternoon. Laura is survived by her husband, Thomas Bruce Smiley, Stepsons Matt Smiley, Steve Smiley, Aaron Smiley, Brett Smiley, Step granddaughter Taylor Smiley and adopted granddaughter, Bella Rivera. Her Brother Larry Howell, Niece Kimberly Bretz, Nephew David Howell, Grandnephews Scott Layton, Kenneth Graham and Jared Howell. Grand Niece Markie Layton, Great-Grandniece Braylee. Her stepfather Truman Jess McCann and stepmother Louise McCann. And dozens of cousins. She is also survived by all of her friends, clients and coworkers at Desert Resort Management, Palm Valley Home Owners Association.

Tributes

Laura Michelle "Shelly" Smiley

September 22, 1951 - January 17, 2014