Elma “Winkie” Smith biography

Elma “Winkie” (McClanahan) Smith, 83, Roscoe, was born in October of 1933. She resided there with her parents, Clarence and Gladys (Belisle) McClanahan, and several siblings until the family moved to the Schell City area. Elma recalls wanting to go to school at age four but could not do so until age six. She was given the big girl job of putting dishes away and helping her mother in the kitchen. Elma attended the country school houses known as River View, Prairie Valley and Stoney Point for first through third grades and then attended Schell City schools for fourth grade until graduating as a member of the SCHS Class of 1951. Elma enjoyed school and lettered in basketball.

Elma recalls getting her first “real job” the summer of 1948, at Veith’s Café in Nevada, where she was a waitress alongside her older sister, Zena. The two sisters would ride the train from Schell City to Nevada for 50¢ each way.

In the summer of 1949, Elma married her sweetheart, Franklin Smith, and they began their life together on the Smith Family Diary Farm, many know it as Lefler Ranch, which his parents owned. Elma and Franklin lived and worked there on the ranch until it was sold in 1960. Elma and her family then moved to the west side of Schell City where the family lived and farmed for Lewis Farms. In 1965, Elma and Franklin bought what is now the Smith Family farm where she currently resides. After purchasing the family home and farmland, Elma went to work in El Dorado Springs for two years at the Shirt Factory where she was a seamstress.

Elma worked diligently with Franklin farming for may years raising beef cattle, chickens and hogs. She learned to drive tractors, haul grain, hay and livestock. Elma loves gardening, canning and making her homemade jelly and applesauce. The jelly and applesauce often create a competition within the family for who can get the most first – they go great over her homemade hot rolls. Elma has had multiple businesses throughout her life including consulting for Stanley Home Products, Shaklee Products and baking breads rolls and cakes. Most people who live in the Schell City area have at one time or another eaten birthday, wedding, anniversary, bridal or baby shower cakes made by Elma and likely a cinnamon roll or hot roll fresh from her oven.

Elma was baptized in 1948, and is a member of the Shell City Christian Church where she plays the piano, serves as the VBS “Cookie Monster,” helps with bereavement dinners, bakes for and visits shut-ins and makes the hot rolls for Sunday diners. She is active in Belvoir Club, Schell City Alumni Association and you can find her some mornings at the local coffee shops. In past years, Elma was a member of the “Modern Mother’s Club” and local PTA and PTO. She made sure children and young adults had the opportunity to learn how to play softball and baseball as she was a team member and coach for the Schell City Amateur Softball Association until she retired from pitching at age 65. Elma enjoyed camping as a family vacation for many years at Lake Pomme de Terre, Stockton Lake and Truman Lake where she loved to fish and water ski (even though she swims only with the help of a life jacket).

Elma and Franklin were blessed with five children – Terry, Kathie, Daryl, Diane and Melissa. Elma enjoys her 11 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren. God and family are the most important parts of Elma’s life.