Grace Elizabeth Syth, 83

Grace Elizabeth Syth, 83, passed away peacefully, at her home in Post Falls, Idaho, on January 17, 2018.

Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, Feb. 3, at 11 a.m. in Coffelt’s Funeral Chapel in Sandpoint, Idaho. Dale Coffelt will be officiating. A potluck reception will directly follow the service at the VFW hall; everyone is invited.

Grace Elizabeth McKinney was born in Bristol, Tenn., on Dec. 18, 1934, to Wayman and Bonnie McKinney. When Grace was 8 years old, World War II was in full swing. Her father was drafted at 38 years old and her mother traveled out west to work in the shipyards in Portland, Ore. The children were placed in an orphanage, which Grace always referred to as “The Home.” After the war, the children moved, with their mother out west, ending up in Heron, Mont. This is where Grace met the love of her life, Billy D. Syth.

Grace always told the story of the one summer in 1952 when she began dating Billy, of whom her mother did not approve. She would sneak off with her sister, Louise and her beau, Bennie Brewer, to see Billy. The following summer, after not seeing Billy, Grace again began dating him. Two weeks later, they were married with Louise and Bennie, at the Hitching Post in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Grace and Billy were married 64 years, only separated at his death last year. Grace and Billy were known by family and friends for their music abilities. Billy played the guitar while Grace sang, like Loretta Lynn, at many family gatherings. They were true companions.

Grace is survived by three of her four children, Stan (Brenda) Syth of Post Falls, Ray Syth of Sandpoint, Idaho, and Susie Syth-Keeley of Post Falls. She is also survived by her brother, David McKinney of Toppenish, Wash.; nine grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Grace was preceded in death by her husband, Billy D. Syth; her daughter, Billie Lee McCaulley; both of her parents; and four sisters, Louise Brewer, Betty Behmerwohld, Jenny Behmerwohld, and Edna Ann Pyaett.

A special thanks to her granddaughter, Denis Aparicio, for the loving care she devoted to her grandmother, who she referred to as her “BFF”

Family and friends are invited to sign Grace’s on-line guestbook at coffeltfuneral.com.

Arrangements are being handled by Coffelt Funeral Service.