Julia Storm “Stormy” Smith, 72, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, went to Heaven with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on July 24, 2016 from complications of pneumonia. A celebration of her life will be held Sunday, July 31, at 3:00 p.m., at New City Church, 4114 North Park Trail, Great Falls.

Stormy was born March 9, 1944, to Robert St. Patrick Vail and Claudine (Cook) Vail in Pampa, Texas, where she was raised and educated. She attended Colorado State University, and Texas Tech University and graduated from Arizona State University with a B.A. in Education and a teaching certificate. She taught physical education and art in public schools in Arizona, Turkey and Texas.

On Dec. 16, 1967, she married Air Force Lt. Dwight D. Smith in Tucson, AZ. Over the course of his service, she moved frequently with him to his military assignments in Turkey, Germany, England, Idaho, Texas, Montana and Nebraska. She came to Malmstrom Air Force Base first in 1983-84 and retired to Great Falls in 1989 where she remained for the remainder of her life.

Stormy lived a full and blessed life serving others as an Air Force wife, teacher, mom and homemaker.  She had opportunities to travel throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America, Europe and the Pacific. She loved art, art history, fashion modeling, music, poetry, decorating, gourmet cooking, fishing, her beagles Cash and Penny, and helping others. She had an enthusiastic and creative mind. She was always supportive of her husband and children as she was involved in church, school, Little League Baseball, and PTA activities. She served at Military Affairs Committee (MAC) picnics and Malmstrom military events.

Stormy was an active supporter and believer in the Great Falls Rescue Mission, The History Museum, and the Foothills Community Christian School, and loved the events at the C.M. Russell Museum, the Russell Art Auction, the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, Lewis and Clark re-enactments, the annual Bluegrass on the Bay, and the musicals at the Civic Center. She also believed in and participated in outreach programs to the community like the New City Church’s, “More Than Words,” activities, as well as the Great Falls and Missoula food banks and the Humane Society.

Survivors include her husband, Dwight of Great Falls; children, Doug (Kia) Smith Jr. of Missoula, Sabrina (Jacob Selman) Smith of Missoula, and Darren (Shelby) Smith of Dillon; five grandchildren, Silas, Sawyer, Desmond, Timber Grace, and London Annalise.

Stormy was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert St. Patrick Vail; and brother, Robin Vail.

Thank you, Lord, for this wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and gentle-spirited lady.  We loved her and the legacy and memories she left us.

In lieu of flowers, please consider Stormy’s wishes to donate to the Great Falls Rescue Mission, the Foothills Community Christian School, and/or The History Museum.

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