Eva Grace Smith

Eva Grace Smith, 91, Butler, went home to be with the Lord, Monday, March 13, at Bates County Memorial Hospital in Butler. She was born July 6, 1925, to Samuel Jay and Martha Lela Mitchell Reedy in Harwood.

Grace was one of 18 children. On April 9, 1947, she was united in marriage to Thomas Leon Smith in Fort Scott, KS. Throughout their lives together, the first operated a furniture store in Appleton City. Then they then started farming near Montrose, then near Lowry City, then they farmed near Collins for 20 years and finally near Harwood. They spent their last year together in Butler.

Grace enjoyed watching westerns and game shows (esp. Wheel of Fortune) on television, playing dirty bingo, flower gardening, reading and word searches. She loved embroidering — and was very talented. Grace liked her Sunday nights at the Happy Hill Outreach Center and Community Cafe Tuesday experiences.

Grace is survived by one son, Ernest Leon Smith and wife Kathy – Nevada; three daughters, Sharon Kay Smith – Butler, Katherine Ellen Osborn and husband, Kenny – Rock, KS, and Pamela Sue Slater and husband, Harry – Grass Valley, CA,; one sister, Jewell Ellerman – El Dorado Springs; a sister-in-law, Janis Smith – Butler; brother- in-law, Roy Hart – Paul, ID; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and numerous nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Thomas Smith, in 2003; nine brothers; seven sisters; and a granddaughter, Amanda Smith.

Services were Saturday, March 18, at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel in Butler, with Pastor Ron Dunlap. Burial was at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery near El Dorado Springs. Contributions to Butler Senior Citizens Center.

Online condolences may be made at www.schowengerdtchapel.com.