Gloria June Smith, 83, a longtime Lordsburg resident, passed away Wednesday evening, December 31, 2014 at Sunshine Haven Nursing Home in Lordsburg, New Mexico.

"June" as everyone knew her was born June 14, 1931 in Hanford, California to Doc and Gladys Cooper. She attended school in Franklin, Arizona through the 8th grade. In Lordsburg she married Leland Howard Smith on July 14, 1950 and they were married more than 50 years until his passing on June 26, 2002. She attended the Lordsburg Baptist Church throughout her life. For over 40 years she was a big fan of the Chicago Cubs travelling to many different baseball stadiums with her family to watch her Cubbies. She enjoyed travelling and taking pictures of scenery and wildlife. June was a stay-at-home mom and homemaker, she also babysat many nephews, nieces and many other children in Lordsburg which many called her their second mother.

Survivors include her three sons: Howard (Lois) of Ault, Colorado, Clark (Dora) of Lordsburg, New Mexico, Mike (Sylvia) of Albuquerque, New Mexico; and one daughter, Missy Smith of Las Cruces, New Mexico; one sister, Shirley Adams of San Manuel, Arizona and one brother Jim Cooper of Globe, Arizona; 10 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Leland Howard Smith, parents, Doc and Gladys Cooper, one son, Phillip Smith, one daughter Linda June Smith, three brothers, Winchell, Stuart and Steve Cooper and three sisters, Gerlene Hartland, Louise Bowman, and Velma Williams.

Baca's Funeral Chapels have taken care of cremation per her wish. A celebration of her life will be held on her birthday, June 14, 2015 in Lordsburg, New Mexico.