Gail Diann Smith, 53, of Royalton, Illinois passed at 12:22 p.m., Sunday, September 13, 2009 at her home. Gail was born May 19, 1956 to Arvel Lee and Betty (Jelley) Smith Austin in Carbondale, Illinois. She married Ronald Charles Smith September 8, 1978 in DeSoto. He survives in Royalton. Other survivors include two daughters, Erica Michaelle and her fiancŽ, David Harrison and Chelsie Nicole Smith and her boy friend Keith "Eddie" Bennett of Royalton; her mother, Betty Austin of DeSoto; a sister and sister-in-law, Shawna Austin Porter and Jennifer Porter of Davenport, FL; a brother and sister-in-law, Mike and Janet Austin of Murphysboro; her father, Arvel Lee Smith and his wife, Merita of Carbondale; a step-sister and her husband, Tina and Mike Rumsey of Carbondale; a step-brother, James Smith of Georgia; her mother-in-law, Mary Ann Smith of Royalton; a sister-in-law, Donna Smith of Royalton; five nieces and nephews, Megan Austin, Jared Scroggins, Mark King and Kyle and Josh Rumsey; her two little buddies, Auggie and Baxter. Special friends, Micah and Larry Hallman, Jim and Ramona Chamness, Aaron Jones, Frank Chamness and Elbert Walker. She was preceded in death by her father, who raised her, Harold "Bud" Austin; her grandmother, Frances Amanda Bradshaw Jelley; her grandfather, James Arthur Jelley; her maternal aunt, Joy Jelley Harris; her father-in-law, Donald Eugene "Donnie" Smith; her brother-in-law, John Eugene Smith and her best friend, Lisa Reese. Gail had worked as a secretary for Cook Construction Company in Carterville; a bookkeeper for her father-in-law at Smith Machine and Tool in Royalton and as a computer and teacher's aid for the Zeigler Royalton School System. Gail was a loving mother, wife and friend. She loved nothing more than watching her daughters play softball. Gail kept the scorebook for the Z-R softball team for 16 years. She loved to crochet, paint ceramics, read and play bingo. Gail was a one of kind and she made a lasting impression on everyone who was blessed to meet and know her. Funeral services for Mrs. Smith will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, September 17, 2009 at Vantrease Funeral Home in Royalton with Brother Larry Hallman officiating. Burial will be at Miners Cemetery, east of Royalton. Visiting hours are from 6 to 9 p.m., Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions in memory of Mrs. Smith may be made to the Zeigler-Royalton High School, Booster Club or Softball Program. P.O. Box 38, Zeigler, IL 62999. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. For more information and to sign the register book, visit our website at www.vantreasefuneralhome.com.