Mollie Josephine Smith

Smith, Mollie J.
After a long beautiful and fulfilling life of 89 years, Mollie J. entered into peace on April 14, 2025 in Sacramento, Calif.  Mollie was born in Tonopah, Nevada to Julia and Tony Sotelo. Her kindness and beauty shined inside and out. Being born as the eldest, Mollie, from a very young age, instinctively took care of her brothers and family.  Her family had many Aunties, Uncles and cousins and there were always family gatherings and weddings to attend. Her father worked in the coal mines in Tonopah and at McClellan Air Force Base in Sacramento.

Mollie's family moved to Sacramento, Ca. where she attended St. Francis School.  She entered High School at Grant Union HS where she met the love of her life, Dean Smith. Mollie's charisma and love for people made her very popular in school. This demeanor followed her in her life's journey.  Mollie and Dean were married for 71 glorious years. Throughout her journey, she wore many hats; bookkeeping for the family trucking business, Bercut Richards Cannery worker, working at a dry cleaners, school cafeteria cook, California Almond Growers as a quality Control Inspector and always the neighborhood nurse.  Anytime a neighborhood kid needed a band aid or so, there was always a knock at our door.  She had a healing touch.  

Mollie started her own family having 4 children.  Her first-born Kenny, followed by her daughter Annette, sons Robert and David. Still involved with her dad’s business, Mollie managed to work and attend every cub scout, boy scout, baseball, soccer, brownie, girl scout, swimming meets, sewing class, and school events ever made. She was a gifted seamstress making clothes for the family as well as upholstering furniture. Family and friends fondly recall the annual making of Tamales.  Her recipe will live forever.  She loved building the addition to her house, landscaping, as well as building a treehouse for her children.  Mollie used a hammer and saw like a wizard. She wasn't afraid to get under the hood of a car either. She taught her children there were no bounds to what they could do.

Mollie loved the outdoors.  Camping, fishing, gold panning, archery, target shooting, hiking, you name it, Mollie was ready and willing. She slowly graduated from an outside tarp to a tent, then a camper to a luxury RV.  They became lifetime members with Thousand Trails Campgrounds and enjoyed camping with family every year of her life.  Always looking forward to the annual Ennis-Smith Family Reunions. She also loved the cruises. Most memorable was the Alaskan cruise with her brother-in-law Jim and Betty Smith.

Mollie was an active Member of the Rio Linda American Legion Post 521.

Mollie is predeceased by her parents, Tony and Julia Sotelo and brother Richard Sotelo. Mollie is survived by her loving husband Lealand Dean Smith, and brother Louis Sotelo. Mollie leaves three children, Kenny Smith, Annette(Greg)Cegler, David Smith(Kim Poulson-Smith). Her Grandchildren, Korrinne Lancaster, Kendra Horner, Adam and Allison Smith, Anthony Smith and 5 Great Grandchildren.
Mollie will be greatly missed by her family, friends, and the neighborhood she so deeply loved.

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