Overstreet, Priscilla Smith

Long-time Ennis resident, Priscilla Smith Overstreet, better 
known as "Smitty," died from complications of osteoporosis 
and pneumonia on July 1, 2010, at Pioneer Medical Center in 
Big Timber, where she had lived since November.

She was born on Oct. 10, 1925, to Fredrick and Edythe 
(Kingston) Smith in Melrose, Mass., and grew up mostly in the 
Boston area. She was a 12th-generation American descended 
from four passengers on the original Mayflower.

She graduated from high school during World War II and 
worked for a defense-related company for a couple of years.

In 1946 she and her friend, Joann Goff, rode a Greyhound bus 
west and eventually got jobs in Yellowstone Park. She worked 
on a dude ranch in Arizona the following winter and returned 
to Yellowstone Park for the 1947 season. That year she met 
James W. "Cap" Overstreet, the cowboy of her dreams, and in 
September they married.

In the early years they moved frequently, sometimes living in 
rather primitive homes. Smitty was an avid horsewoman and 
helped with the ranch work. For nine years they lived at the 
ranger station and rode for the Wall Creek Grazing Association 
in the upper Madison Valley during the summer and worked on 
ranches in the Madison or Gallatin valleys during the winter. In 
the fall of 1956 they moved to the Indian Creek Ranch, then 
part of the Sun Ranch near Cameron, where they lived for the 
next 18 years. For two years they also continued to ride for 
the Wall Creek association.

While her children were growing up Smitty was a stay-at-home 
mother. Later she worked at the talc mine. She worked for 
several years on the sorter and eventually became responsible 
for running tests on samples.

Although Smitty had strong ideas about morality and could be 
judgmental at times, she had the ability to find the best in 
almost anyone. She liked practically everybody and almost 
never forgot a name. She made mistakes like everyone else 
but her intentions were always good. During her retirement 
years she seemed to always have an elderly widow to take 
grocery shopping or to a doctor's appointment.

Smitty was an avid arrowhead hunter and amassed a significant 
collection. She was one of the writers and editors who helped 
compile and publish two large books on Madison County 
history – "Pioneer Trails and Trials" and "Progressive Years." 
She helped establish the Madison Valley History Association 
and remained active in it, even after moving to the nursing 
home. She was both delighted and amazed that they were 
able to open a museum.

Smitty was preceded in death by her husband, Cap.

She is survived by her brother, Robert Smith of Massachusetts; 
her sister, Beverly Smith of Billings; two sons, Jim (Anne) of Big 
Timber, and Reid of Mertzon, Texas; four grandchildren, a 
great-grandson, and a number of nieces and nephews.

Cremation has taken place. A memorial celebration is being 
planned for late summer or early fall when all her family can be 
here.

Memorials in her name to the Madison Valley History 
Association or the Madison Valley Medical Center would be 
appreciated.

Smitty wanted to thank all the doctors who helped her and the 
entire staff at the Pioneer Medical Center who made life 
bearable for the past seven months.

Published in Bozeman Daily Chronicle on July 8, 2010