Elma Irene “Winkie” ”Granny” (McClanahan) Smith

Elma Irene “Winkie” McClanahan was born Oct. 17, 1933 in Roscoe to Clarence Theodore and Gladys (Belisle) McClanahan. She was the 6th of 12 children. Winkie was just 11 when her father passed away after a yearlong illness. She attended and graduated from Schell City High School in the Class of 1951. She married (William) Franklin Smith on June 5, 1949 at her family home just outside of Schell City. To this union were born five children.

Winkie and Franklin were life-long farmers in the area, raising cattle, pigs, horses, chickens, rabbits, row crops and hay. Winkie’s mom taught her to play piano as a child. She used her talent for the Lord at the Schell City Christian Church, where she was a baptized member. She also had a talent for cooking, baking and decorating cakes for any occasion including birthdays, anniversaries, weddings and more. She was also famous for her homemade hot rolls. She played ladies fast-pitch softball with the church team until the age of 65 when the softball association was dissolved. She was a member of Belvoir Club, Christian Church Ladies Aid, Modern Mothers Club, 4-H Project Leader and Schell City High School Alumni Association.

Winkie worked hard all her life, always enjoying her garden, orchard, pecan grove, farming and livestock, including chickens. She enjoyed fishing, dog paddling in a life jacket, water skiing, being outdoors on her porch swing, walking, being with family and church family, drinking coffee and eating with friends at the local restaurants.  She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, friend and neighbor. She will be dearly missed by all who loved and knew her.

Winkie is preceded in death by her loving husband, Franklin, of 52 years; father and mother and step-father Raymond Meyer; brothers, Clint, Ray and Dave; sisters, June McClanahan and Viola (Sugie) Balthrope; four nephews and two Nieces.

She is survived by her five children: Terry Smith and wife, Mary of Schell City, Kathie McWherter and husband, Ken of Noel, Daryl Smith and wife, Janet of Claremore, OK, Diane Eslinger and husband, Rick of Schell City, Melissa Eiserer and husband, Hank of Carrollton; 11 grandchildren: Mark Smith, Tereasa Gilmore, Krystal Fischer, Kasey McWherter, Zack Smith, Dustee Smith, David Eslinger, Danny Eslinger, Dana McCannon, Brant Eiserer and Brice Eiserer. 28 great-grandchildren and 9 great-great-grandchildren. Winkie is also survived by two brothers, Junior McClanahan and Gary McClanahan; four sisters Zena Mills, Noma Ralph, Nova Lackey and Sharon Goodman; and a host of nieces, nephews and many who adopted “Granny” as their own.

Services were Saturday, Feb. 24, at Schell City Christian Church in Schell City. Burial at Green Lawn Cemetery, Schell City.

Memorials, Schell City Alumni Scholarship Fund or Show Me Christian Youth Home. Arrangements by Hill & Son Funeral Home, 213 W. 6th St., Appleton City.