Cora Ruth Smith, 91, of Onalaska, Washington, peacefully left this life to be with her Savior Jesus Christ early on Wednesday morning, June 3, 2026.
Cora was born at the family home to Frank and Margaret Extine on January 11, 1935 in Onalaska, the 4th and youngest child of the family. She loved reminding us that she was "the baby" and she enjoyed using that endearing title for her benefit.
Cora was preceded in death by her husband William E. Smith of 46 years, her parents, Frank and Margaret Extine, her brother Lawrence Extine, her sisters Lois Littleton and Mary Myer, and her niece Susan (Extine) Ross, and her step grandson lan William MacLurg.
Cora was descended from a French Canadian pioneering family who homesteaded in Lewis County in the 1840's. She was also a member and elder of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe and was grateful for the care and support that she regularly received from them.
After graduating from Onalaska High School, in the typical teenage rush to leave the small town for the larger world, Cora attended college at the University of WA, later entering a technical school in New Orleans, Louisiana to attain practical skills in the medical field. After working in Arizona for a time, she came to miss the changing seasons of the Northwest. She relocated to Portland, Oregon where she and her two partners owned and operated The Northwest Medical Laboratory for many years.
It was during her years in Portland that Cora clearly heard and fully understood the good news of Jesus from her business partner and friend, Darlene Morgan. She had no idea that her life was about to dramatically change. Cora had determined that she wouldn't marry a divorced man or a man who was shorter than herself. But God....
At the age of 39 Cora met and married a short, divorced man with four children who had a home in her home town of Onalaska, WA. William (Billy to Cora) Smith and Cora Extine were married on April 12th, 1975 at the Presbyterian Church in Onalaska where Cora had attended during her formative years. Bill moved to Portland with Cora and enrolled at Multnomah College attaining his degree in Biblical Studies. The couple then moved back to Onalaska where they began a Christian church planting ministry and outreach in Lewis County until Bill's death in 2021.
Together the Smiths held bible studies in Packwood, Randle, Morton, Cinebar, and Onalaska, sharing the love of Christ. They were instrumental in beginning churches in the east end of the county and along with two other couples they reopened the then shuttered but now thriving Shoestring Valley Community Church in Cinebar.
Cora was a hostess who loved to cook, bake, and share recipes. She spent many years in the church kitchen on the hospitality team providing meals for the life events of the congregation. In her later years, she enjoyed going out to lunch with friends to her favorite fast food spots, playing scrabble or working on her pile of crossword puzzles.
Cora taught children's Sunday School classes, sang in the choir, led ladies bibles studies for decades, and mentored women in the word often while taking long walks together. She was a servant together with her husband as they ministered to many individuals and couples in their home over meals. Holiday family meals frequently included new friends who needed a place to belong. Cora made an impact in the lives of the people of her home town and the surrounding county for Jesus.
Cora is survived by her many loving nieces and nephews; Mike (Cindy) Extine, Laura Cole, Doug (Rose) Extine; Dave (Megan) Littleton, and Judi Chandler; Eric Myer, Janet (Ron) Myer, Joel (Bonnie) Myer, Margaret (Ronald) Beckett, and Adam Myer along with numerous great and double great nieces and nephews.
Cora is also survived by her four step-children; Sherri (Mike) Aust, Jean (Steve) MacLurg, Jeff (Melody) Smith, Wendy (Jim) Pea, along with 10 grandchildren and 33 great grandchildren who will miss her good humor and quick wit.
The family would like to express their gratitude and appreciation to the staff at Silver Acres Adult Home and Assured Hospice for the excellent and attentive care that Cora received while in their charge.
A private family graveside service will be held on Friday, June 19th at 1:00 p.m. at the Shoestring Cemetery. A later Celebration of Life service will be held in memory of Cora Smith July 18th at 11:00 a.m. at Shoestring Valley Community Church, 104 Frase Rd.,
Onalaska, WA 98570.
In Lieu of flowers, the family invites you to consider a gift of support to the addiction, homeless, and prison work of Harvest Ministries. Checks can be made to Shoestring Valley Community Church, with a note "For Harvest Ministries." P.O. Box 39 Onalaska, WA 98570. Services are under the care of Newell-Hoerling's Mortuary.