Manuela King Smith

Manuela "Nellie" King Smith, 92, started her abundant and blessed life in Brownsville, Texas on August 19, 1931. She left this earth behind on April 25, 2024 in the care of the most excellent owners and staff at Aunt Dottie's Place in Roseville, CA and American River Hospice.

Nellie was the youngest of six children, three boys and three girls, by parents Joseph "Papa Joe" King and Ignacia (Sanchez) King. Nellie had a special place in her heart for her beloved step-grandfather, W. A. "Snake" King of Brownsville, TX who was an importer of wild animals in the early decades of the 20th century. Her love of animals begun at such a young age was no doubt nurtured by visits to her grandfather's business to help him take care of elephants, lions, monkeys and other exotic creatures.

When Nellie was 20, she ran away to Biloxi, Mississippi to join the Air Force. (Ok, she didn’t run away but it sounds so much more romantic that way!) About two years later, she married Roger W. Smith, became pregnant with her first child Mark then was honorably discharged from the service. That event was the auspicious beginning of her Air Force wife adventure which would last another 22 years. There would be three more children: Karl, Terri and Keith plus countless whirlwind moves including two overseas assignments in Newfoundland, Canada and Yokota Air Base, Japan. Nellie was an incredibly outgoing person, meeting and keeping lots of new friends through those years and beyond.

In 1969, while at Yokota, Japan, Nellie decided to continue pursuing a college degree beginning at the University of Maryland. After settling in Rancho Cordova, CA in 1971, she completed her degree in Spanish at CSU, Sacramento, breezed through the CSUS teacher credentialing program, then began her career in 1974, teaching foreign languages in the Sacramento City School District for 20 years. She had a daring and brave soul too, educating junior high school age students!

After retiring in 1994 Nellie was one busy lady. She loved traveling, volunteering at the Crocker Art Museum and Christ the King Passionist Retreat Center, going out with or having friends and family over, attending writing workshops and hosting Christmas parties. She seemed to have the energy of ten people, keeping up her home and huge backyard where her astonishing green thumbs could grow just about anything.

From her late seventies on Nellie's life journey was thrown for a loop by the cruel ravages of Alzheimer's dementia. She fought the best she could, trying to shield her kids from the truth of what was happening. She spent her last seven years in the wonderful elder care home mentioned above where her rambunctious spirit was met with patience and grace.

 

Nellie's memorial will be held at East Lawn Cemetery, 5757 Greenback Lane, Sacramento, CA 95841 on Friday May 17 at 10:00 am. Nellie will be interred with military honors at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, CA on Monday May 20 at 10:00am.