Popular county worker Smith dies at 29

Adrienne Packer

Wednesday, April 21, 1999 | 10:45 a.m.

A week ago Jennifer Smith was discussing her upcoming celebrations: her son's first birthday Monday and her 30th on Saturday.

But on Tuesday her close friends planned a memorial service as an air of devastation filled the Clark County Government Center where the 29-year-old had worked for three years.

Smith died Saturday from complications related to an enlarged pancreas just days after she called in sick with a stomachache. She left behind her 1-year-old son, Ryan, and her husband, Matt, a computer network administrator for AllTel.

"Jennifer was always the one who took care of everybody; she had this universe of neurotic friends," said Hilarie Grey, the county's public information officer and Smith's close friend.

Smith worked as a senior management analyst for the Administrative Services Department, putting together County Commission agendas, working on programs such as the neighborhood services design project and conducting surveys for board members.

"She was a hard worker and dedicated and a great communicator," Commissioner Yvonne Atkinson Gates, who worked closely with Smith, said. "She was caring, loving and understanding. She loved her job."

"She also did her work with a wonderful attitude," added Commissioner Myrna Williams. "She had a sweet personality."

Flags at the government center flew half-staff Tuesday, and the County Commission held a moment of silence for Smith at the start of its meeting.

"She was a special person who touched a lot of people's lives with her smile and resolve," Commissioner Erin Kenny told those in attendance. "She was a solid, kind person who literally glowed when you talked to her."

Grey said her friend downplayed her role at the county and spent much of her time outside of work reading, hiking and going to movies.

"We were going to go to the new "Star Wars" movie together ..." Grey said. "This happened awful quickly and nobody understands why."

Smith's condition seemed to improve Friday night, but Grey said doctors could not stabilize her blood pressure enough to perform surgery on her pancreas. Eventually the complications took a toll on Smith's other organs.

Grey said Smith's parents, Jean and Rick Campbell of Athens, Ga., and her younger brother and sister, Josh and Emily, arrived in Las Vegas late last week. A memorial service will be held in Georgia on Saturday and Grey said another service will be planned locally.

A fund for Smith's son -- the Ryan Campbell Smith scholarship fund -- has been set up at the Clark County Credit Union.