Autumn McCall Smith

We lost the light of our lives on June 30th 2017 with the passing of our sweet Autumn McCall Smith and her amazing mother Erin Rochelle Smith in Donnelly, Idaho. Erin was born on October 5th 1982, in Weiser, ID to Michael Strong and Cathy Fraser. Erin’s love for adventure led her to enlist in the Idaho Army National Guard on February 27th 2001 as a Combat Medic, an organization she loved. During her faithful 16 years of service to her country, Erin was deployed to Bosnia and Iraq. Living up to her drive to lead from the front she competed in the Army’s Best Medic Competition, being a member of the first all female team. Erin’s magnetic personality and warm smile inspired and motivated countless Soldiers throughout her career, while quickly rising to the rank of Master Sergeant.
Breaking down barriers, she became the first female Abrams tanker in the Army; paving the way for the integration of females Soldiers in combat arms. Erin was an amazingly intelligent woman who had a love of bookstores, and read anything that caught her interest.

In 2003 on a flight to Honolulu for military training, Erin met the love of her life, Mitchell Smith. That’s when the real adventure began. In December 2006 Mitch, Kearney and Ethan welcomed Erin into their family as a wife and mother. After buying an older house in Boise, Erin spent countless hours making it their home. Erin took the challenge of helping to raise two children and loved them with all her heart. Every spare minute was spent outdoors and traveling as a family, creating new memories.

On November 23rd, 2010 yet another new adventure for our family began when sweet Autumn entered our lives. Autumn followed with her mother’s adventurous spirit and fearless attitude, climbing any rock, tree or mountain she encountered. The love they had for each other and their family was unconditional and infinite. An important part of their lives was constant activity, taking them to places far and near. Autumn was the happiest little girl you could have ever met, no person or animal was a stranger, her passion for the world was huge. She was a bright light in this life, she was our sunshine and everything in between. Autumn’s laugh was contagious, her smile was mischievous and her sass was enormous, very much like mom. Her creativity permeated everything she did from spending countless mornings drawing, playing with Legos, and supervising her army of beanie babies. Erin made sure to give Autumn the best opportunities in life, teaching her that anything was possible if you are willing to work for it. Autumn was involved in various sports and activities, recently graduating from kindergarten, advancing in swim class, and her ultimate achievement jumping off the high dive. Autumn moved at full speed and wouldn’t slow down. Erin and Autumn were inseparable till the very end, a connection that not many people experience in life. The love in Erin’s eyes for her daughter was monumental.

Preceded by Jesse and Bill Smith, Floyd W. Strong, Cathy Strong.

Survivors include; Mitchell Smith, Kearney Smith, Ethan Smith, Cathy and Berk Fraser, Mike Strong, Jessica Carlson along with many other relatives and friends.

Funeral service will be at the Eagle Christian Church, Eagle, Idaho on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 at 11:00 AM with burial at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery. Visitation will be at Cloverdale Funeral Home on Tuesday, July 11 between 6-8 PM. Services are under the direction of Cloverdale Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Idaho National Guard Family Program Support Fund.