Linda Sue (Mayes) Smith

Linda Sue Mayes Smith

October 27, 1948 - August 11, 2023 (Age 74)

Married 55 Years to Dean Paul Smith, Orange, Ca.

Linda Sue Mayes Smith nicknamed “Ya-Ya” by her father, Newport Beach shore fisherman William “Billy” Mayes, and angelic mother Marjorie Whalberg Mayes, is a 4th generation descendant of the historical Clement family lineage who contributed to the establishment and community development of the City of Orange since 1906. William E. Clement (1876-1946), Linda’s paternal great-grandfather, a businessman and descendant of Johnson Clement (1852-1931) an Orange County real estate developer, who moved to Orange in 1906 where he managed the Griffin Lumber Company on Cypress Street. With an expanding family, William E. Clement purchased a double lot and built the historical home at 545 S. Grand St., on the corner of Grand and Toluca.  Both Margaret Clement (1902-1976), Linda’s paternal grandmother, and Bill Mayes (1923-2000), Linda’s father, were born in this historical home on Grand. 

William E. Clement managed the Griffin Lumber yard, then purchased the yard in 1921, renaming it the Clement Lumber Yard, until 1941, when he sold it to the Curran family. William E. Clement then purchased the Olive lumber yard. In 1910, William E. Clement organized the Orange Volunteer Fire Department, and was Fire Chief until 1920. Additionally, he served as the City Treasurer of Orange from 1912-1922. In 1927, William E. Clement was elected to the City Council and was Mayor of Orange from 1930-1932. W.E. Clement's continued community service included the Orange Rotary, Odd Fellows, and Clement was a charter member of the Orange Elks Lodge #1475. From 1926-1928 he served as a member of the Board of Trustees of Orange High School. One of the five Clement children, Margaret Clement, Linda’s grandmother, was nick-named “Mischievous Margaret” for her love of Halloween neighborhood jokes and antics that Margaret would instigate from the Clement home each Halloween night. 

The Clement family home on Grand and Toluca boasted of holiday parties, decorations, dinners, family gatherings and generous love for all of the community. These celebration attributes were passed to Linda Sue as she is known and remembered for her loving hospitality, house-filled holiday decorations, and welcoming children and families of the quaint neighborhood on Hickory Lane and beyond to be part of her family.

Linda’s father, Master Sergeant William Royer Mayes (1923-2000), was born in the Clement house, raised in Orange, attended Orange High School at the original location that is currently Chapman University, and enlisted in the U.S Army serving two terms. The first term (1941-1945) in WWII, Bill fought in five campaigns including Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineand & Central Europe. Bill Mayes re-enlisted in 1950 with wife Marjorie and daughter Linda Sue at home, for a second term serving side by side with his brother Gerald (Jerry) Mayes in the Korean War. William Royer Mayes received multiple military recognitions including the Silver Star, Good Conduct Medal.  

Between the two Army service terms, Bill was a guest lecturer at Santa Ana College where he spotted a beautiful brown-eyed girl, Marjorie Adele Wahlberg, whose father, Harold Wahlberg, was Chairman of Farm Bureau. Bill and Marjorie married in 1946 having three children, the oldest being Linda Sue, and her two brothers Paul and Bruce Mayes. Her family composed of Margaret Clement Mayes, Bill Mayes, Linda, Paul and Bruce Mayes were all graduates of Orange High School. Bill and Marjorie lived with their children as original owners on Arbor Way in Orange, and Linda’s family still owns the home today. Bill and his brother Jerry Mayes remained best of friends and neighbors on Arbor Way their entire adult lives, over 55 years, in Orange. 

Linda Sue met surfer Dean Paul Smith of the Santa Ana Smith family at a party in 1965. Linda was a junior at Orange High school. Dean Paul Smith was a graduate of Mater Dei High School (1964). Dean was immediately smitten with Linda and the two were married in January of 1968 in Las Vegas, and married again at St. Joseph’s Church in April, 1968. During his courtship and early years of marriage, Dean was drafted into the armed forces and served in the Marines Corps in Vietnam as a Helicopter Crew Chief. Dean and Linda have two children, son Jeffrey Dean (1968-2023) and daughter Kiva Nicole (1971- ). Jeffrey is survived by his two daughters. Kiva and her husband, John Spiratos, have four children. Linda adores her cousins, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and extended relatives. Family brings Linda absolute joy!

Linda Sue Mayes continues her family heritage and love of Old Towne Orange in tandem with her deeply rooted Smith family. Linda’s love for community, Old Towne heritage, neighborhood friends, antiques, walking the plaza, hosting holiday experiences, and her love of life, live on through her family and relatives.

Linda, meaning “pretty” in Spanish, is remembered for her beautiful appearance and spirit that blooms with grace and her love for others. Linda’s memory and dedication to family is celebrated through all who know her. Linda loves summers at Newport Beach, boating at the Colorado river, gardening, outdoors, antique shopping, arts & crafts, setting a pristine dining table for no less than 25 on most holidays, and time with friends. 

Remember Linda Sue for her beauty and spirit as she demonstrated so much beauty and love to all. Linda is dancing in Heaven with her son, Jeff, and recently passed family members, setting tables, telling stories, and living with Christ.

We love you, Nana.   

You may reach out to Dean and Kiva,  via email at kivaspiratos@gmail.com

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