Vicki Smith

Vicki Smith, beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, and community member, passed into God's loving arms on March 16, 2010.
Vicki was born one of seven children to Juanita and Gerald Shults in 1944.
She graduated from Klamath Union High School in 1962 and married Dan Smith of Keno, Ore., in 1965. They moved to Ashland in 1966. Vicki worked at Southern Oregon University forensic lab and then at the Ashland School District before starting a 30-year career at Rogue Federal Credit Union. She worked as the Rogue Federal Credit Union Ashland branch manager for many years and, as the credit union grew, she was continually promoted to take on greater responsibilities, including serving on the senior management team.
Vicki served many years as the chief operations officer and finished her career as the chief member relations officer, where she was responsible for operations, supervising branch and department managers, and service delivery. One of Vicki's biggest accomplishments and greatest honors was serving as the chairwoman of the operations sales and services executive committee for the Credit Union National Association. This allowed Vicki to travel all over the United States, sharing her operational expertise with other credit union professionals. She also enjoyed serving on the Credit Union Association of Oregon Foundation scholarship committee for many years.
After retiring in 2007, Vicki traveled, learned to knit and play the piano, golfed, and enjoyed a hiking class and time spent with her family. She was also a dedicated Soroptimist member for nearly 30 years. For much of her working career and in retirement, she volunteered countless hours to Soroptimist International of Ashland, serving as club president twice, regional committee chairwoman for the finance committee and district two representative for the finance committee.
Vicki had two daughters, Jennifer and Emilie, whom she adored. Vicki raised her daughters with love and strength until the very end. To her daughters, Vicki will always be known as the rock.
Vicki passed away March 16 after a very brief battle with cancer. She is survived by her husband, Dan Smith; daughters, Jennifer and Emilie; father, Gerald Shults; brothers, Jim and Jeanne Shults of Fairfield, Calif., and Mike and Teresa Shults of Klamath Falls, Ore.; sisters, Sandy and Bill Dixon of Klamath Falls, Debi and Bob Luther of Rocky Point, Ore., and Geri Lynn Shults of Klamath Falls.
Vicki was preceded in death by her mother, Juanita, brother, Donald and niece, Chris Wright.
Vicki will be remembered at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 20. The memorial service will be held at the First Baptist Church in Ashland and will be immediately followed by a reception at the church.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Vicki's name to Soroptimist International of Ashland, P. O. Box 544, Ashland, OR 97520.