Elizabeth LaNell (Clark) Smith
Elizabeth LaNell (Clark) Smith, 50, passed away on Monday, April 7, 2025.
She was born on March 6, 1975 to Barry and Barbara (Hamer) Clark in Evansville, Ind.
On Oct. 2, 2009 she married Anthony Smith, and he survives.
LaNell was a 1993 graduate of Dongola High School. She went on to get her master’s degree in social work at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.
In June of 1999, she went to work for the State of Illinois and held many different titles throughout her years of employment. LaNell started her career as a technician at Choate Mental Health, after that she worked with the Department of Human Service for several years and currently was serving as a Clinical Specialist for the Department of Child and Family Services.
She was very passionate about her job and even fostered many children herself throughout the years with her husband. Many children’s lives were touched by the love and care that she provided them.
Everyone who knew LaNell knew that she had the biggest, giving heart and always put other before herself. She loved holidays, and she always made sure at Christmas that any person who came to her house had a gift under the tree.
Survivors include her husband, Anthony Smith; father and step-mother, Barry and Julia Clark; father and mother-in-law, Mike and Shirley Smith; children, Alycia (Eric) Ellett, Kelsie Hand (Tyler Marnati), Anthony Noah Smith, Kajayah Clark, Brilea Smith; grandchildren, Liam, Raelynn, Kaden, Blayne, Makenna, Charlotte, Everleigh, and Holland; siblings, Amy (Patrick “Joey”) Ferguson, Brian (Patty) Clark, Greg (Jennifer) Keller, Jennifer (Shane) Osman; brother-in-law, Matthew (Robin) Smith; along with several nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives.
She touched the lives of many foster children.
She is preceded in death by her mother, Barbara (Hamer) Clark; paternal grandparents, Harry and Ethel Clark; maternal grandparents, Otto and Loetta Hamer; step grandmother, Lela Casper; aunt and uncle; Ron and Norma Clark; uncle, Tom Clark; and cousin, Andy Clark.
Visitation were held on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at Crain Funeral Home Anna.
Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, April 17, 2025 at 10 a.m. at Crain Funeral Home Anna. Interment followed the service at Jonesboro Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests with gratitude that memorial be made to The Restore Network, 9835 Old Bainbridge Road, Marion, IL 62959.
The Restore Network exists to change the culture of foster care and equip God’s people to meet the needs of vulnerable children and youth.
Crain Funeral Home in Anna, Illinois is in charge of arrangements.