Kelly Jo Smith Eicher

Kelly Jo Smith Eicher went to be with her Lord in Heaven on Tuesday, Feb. 27th, 2024. Kelly passed away at home in Centre Hall under hospice care after battling cancer for several years.  

Kelly was born at Langley Air Force Base on April 24, 1956, to Gary G. “Coop” and Meriam Smith of Centre Hall, Pa., and she both grew up and passed away at the farm she dearly loved. Kelly was the eldest of three siblings and graduated from Penns Valley High School in the class of 1974. 

Kelly had a life-long love of flowers and gardens, and studied after high school to be a florist before she became the founder and owner of Earlystown Floral. She made beautiful arrangements, wreaths and bouquets for countless area families and provided floral services for many weddings and funerals. She had wonderful vegetable and floral cutting gardens of her own and was accomplished at growing just about anything. Her knowledge of plants and flowers was vast, and she loved keeping the land around her home blooming with beautiful things. She also had a love for animals, helping her dad with cattle at their dairy, and later raising her own steers, chickens, lamb, several beloved family dogs and farm cats. Kelly was musical and enjoyed singing and playing organ along with family and listening to Christian and Irish music. She loved watching old Western movies, agricultural TV and her favorite preachers on TBN. 

Kelly had a deep love for the Lord and was a student of scripture. She always had her Bible, a devotional book or other guide to growing her faith within reach. She was often in prayer for others and was active in several local church congregations.  

She loved her family, both past and present and was proud of her Irish and English heritage and her family’s home where many generations lived and passed history on to the next. 

Kelly is preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband, James (Jim) Eicher, of Centre Hall, Pa., her son, Bryce Boob (Angie) of Olathe, Kan., her sister Holly Yearick (Bobby) of Howard, Pa., and her brother Jason Smith of Centre Hall, Pa. She is also survived by four nieces and their families, and two grandchildren: Emily Herr (Eric, children Everett & Ember) of Howard, Pa., Myken Poorman (Ryan, son Cooper) of Mingoville, Pa., Jessye Smith of Washington, D.C., Ella Smith of Centre Hall, Pa., and grandsons Colton & Connor Boob of Olathe, Kan. 

A private celebration of life for immediate family will be held at a later date. Memorial gifts in Kelly’s honor may be sent to the funeral home: Steven R. Neff Funeral Home, PO Box 437 Millheim, PA 16854.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” - Psalm 23, one of Kelly’s favorite scriptures

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