Cloverdale native, Iola Ferrari, affectionately known as the “Queen of Pine Mountain,” died January 30th at 98 years old after a brief illness. Born to John Sidney and Minnie Lee Smith in a house where the Cloverdale Senior Center now stands, Iola spent nearly eighty years living on her Pine Mountain ranch where she raised sheep and horses for many years.
During World War II, while her brother Hubert Smith served in the military, Iola ran his cattle ranch on horseback. With her Arabian mare Mitzi, Iola had many adventures chasing strays, tracking mountain lions and killing rattlesnakes which she wrote about while attending a creative writing workshop at the Cloverdale Senior Center. Many of these stories were published in the Cloverdale Reveille.
The tenth of ten children, she outlived all of her siblings, Ingra Smith, Mildred Morse, Doris Smith, George Smith, Susie Sapp, Hubert Smith, Grace Smith, Clara Samuels and Hazel Hedgepeth and four husbands, Cecil Jackson, Pros Hontou, Paul Startare and John Ferrari. Iola is survived by her nephews Garry Morse and Harry Martin, her nieces Kathy Roberts, Joni Bunnell and Sydney Sciaini and many great, great-great and great-great-great nieces and nephews.
Among her many talents were watercolor painting, leather tooling, photography, storytelling and writing. She loved to travel, and together with her husband John, toured Alaska, Italy and Hawaii. Among her favorite pastimes were antique collecting, gambling and gardening. She was an avid bird watcher and lover of all animals, especially dogs.
The family wishes to thank Piedad Reyes for the tender and loving care she provided for Iola during her final years. There will be a gathering to honor Iola on April 7th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the home of Sydney Sciaini, 25975 River Road in Cloverdale. If you wish to make a donation in Iola’s memory, please do so to the Greendog Rescue Project, the Milo Foundation or any charitable organization that benefits dogs and cats.
