- Date Of Birth: June 18, 1984
- Date Of Death: February 13, 2022
- State: Minnesota
Belinda Lea Smith, age 37 of Ryan’s Village near Bena, began her journey to join her relatives that went on before her on February 13, 2022. Belinda was born June 18, 1984, in Bemidji to Donald “Wayne” Smith and Dawn Morgan.
Belinda grew up in Ryan’s Village. She attended Cass Lake-Bena School where she received her GED and later attended the Leech Lake Tribal College and then moved on to Bemidji State University earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She loved the outdoors, whether she was harvesting wild rice or just working in the woods. Belinda enjoyed swimming, going on walks, and visiting with friends and family. Belinda loved her job with the Leech Lake Heritage Sites and enjoyed spending her days with “the crew”. She very much enjoyed her most recent position as a cook for the Bena Headstart.
Belinda was a caring and supportive person, making sure everyone was “okay” and was always ready to listen. She was a great storyteller and had a special way of telling her stories in a comical way. Belinda had a special bond with all of her nieces and nephews, spoiling them and having a nickname for each one. From the day she found out she was going to be a mother she lived every day for her daughter Avry. She worked hard and spent all of her time taking good care and teaching and talking with her baby girl Av. Throughout her life, Belinda always turned to God, she believed in and trusted in Jesus though everything.
Family welcoming Belinda in paradise are grandparents, David and Josephine Morgan, John Smith and Frances “Muzzin” Gould, aunts, Patricia Moose, Karin Morgan and Janice Morgan; uncle Gilbert “Sonny” Moose, special cousins Lynda Morrison and Merrick Moose and many other relatives.
She will be missed by her daughter Avry Smith, parents Donald “Wayne” Smith and Dawn Morgan, brother Michael “Dave” Bismarck (Wendy) and sisters Davina Smith, Jeannie Smith (Patrick), and Valerie Whitebird.
