Royce Dianne Smith
May 20, 1931 – January 8, 2024
Dee Smith passed away in peace and joy on January 8, 2024 surrounded by her boys. Dee was born May 20, 1931 in Long Beach, CA. Her passions in life were Jesus Christ and singing, and she pursued her love of both from a young age. She made her first recording when she was a teenager, and was in several musicals on the Light Opera stage including The Music Man and Oklahoma. Her first love was singing in the church choir, however, and it was always a joy hearing her beautiful soprano voice around the Atwell home. She married Jack Atwell in 1950 and raised four boys in Culver City, CA while helping run a motel, and then later a very successful after-school club in West LA called TeePee Club.
In 1980, after a divorce, she married Dick Smith and brought four of his children into her family. Thus began an era of hiking and camping that brought both families together for many happy summer adventures. After moving to Murrieta, CA she continued to be an active member of her local church and its choir, as well as her bridge club and the Colony Chorus.
Dee is survived by her four children Ken Atwell (Diane), John Atwell, Brad Atwell, and Tim Atwell (Anita), as well as Becky Clute (Jerry), Randy Smith (Rae), Wendy Michel (Mark), Jenny Rial (Eric), and 15 grandchildren plus 10 great grandchildren. Dee was preceded in death by her beloved husband Dick in 2001.
A memorial service will be held at Murrieta Valley Funeral Home at 10am, February 8, 2024. Interment will follow at Laurel Cemetery, with a reception at The Colony.