Between the tears and sorrow among the bereaved at state Sen. Debbie Smith’s memorial service on Sunday were laughs and smiles remembering an old-school lawmaker not bound by partisan differences.

Nevada Assemblywoman Debbie Smith, D-Sparks, discusses on Saturday, June 4, 2011, the $6.2 billion bill that is meant to fund the state government for the next two years. (Lisa Tolda/Special to ...