Barbara Jean "Jeannie" Perdue Smith was born in a farmhouse in Mosby, Missouri to Percy Elbert Perdue and Mary Jane Thompson Perdue Courter on February 12, 1937. She started 1st grade at the age of 4 in a one room schoolhouse and moved to Paola, Kansas around the age of 11 years old. She met her future husband at a soda shop on the square in Paola, Kansas. She graduated from Paola High School in 1954 and went to work in Kansas City following graduation. She became engaged to Lewis Dewayne Smith and was married in June 1955 at the Methodist Church in Paola. They lived in Shawnee, Kansas until 1962 when they were transferred to Fairfield, New Jersey. They enjoyed living in the East but missed being around family and friends so they said goodbye to New Jersey and headed back to Kansas City where they remained.
Mother dedicated the early years of her children’s lives to raising and caring for her family. Once the children were in school she took a job with the U.S. Post Office in Shawnee, Kansas and continued her career in various KC locations until she retired. Like most working mothers she always put her children and grandchildren above all else. She made sure there was always something fun to do and she also encouraged culture by making our own “field trips” when we had days off of school. She laughed easily and enjoyed visiting with family and friends. Her sister was her dearest friend and she missed her terribly when she was gone. They had more fun together than anyone I know. She also treasured her best friend, Twila Frye. They were “besties” in school and all through their adult lives.
Jeannie loved to travel and hit the road or sky every chance she got. She traveled to just about every U.S state including Hawaii and also visited Mexico, Canada and Grand Caymen Island.
Mom and Dad enjoyed their church family and attended every Sunday when the children were growing up. As she grew older she still attended most weeks unless the weather kept her home.
Jeannie was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Lewis Dewayne Smith.
She is survived by her children Lewis R Smith (Betty) of Corvalis, OR, Thomas E (Mary Ann) Smith of Monroe, GA, Linda S Choate (Duane Walker) of Merriam, KS, Steven C (Jill) Smith of Lawrence, KS and Jason J (Kathrine) Smith of Colorado Springs, Co.; grandchildren Lynna Vallier of Monroe, GA, Michael (Megan) Choate of Leawood, KS, Aubrie (Scott) Choate Craig of Olathe, KS, Samuel (Brittany) Franclemont of Nacogdoches, TX, Madeline Smith and Claire Smith of Colorado Springs, CO.; great-grandchildren: Kaitlyn Vallier, Adam Vallier, Alyssa Drewery, Lawson Choate, Liam Choate, and Logan Craig.
A visitation in Jeannie's honor will be held on Tuesday, August 17th, 2021 at the Amos Family Funeral Home from 10 am to 12 pm. Burial will follow after the visitation at 1 pm at the Paola City Cemetery in Paola, Kansas. Memorial contributions in Jeannie's honor can be made to the Shawnee United Methodist Church, and the Alzheimer's Association.
Graveside Service
Start Date: August 17, 2021, 1:00 pm
End Date: August 17, 2021, 12:00 am
Paola City Cemetery
360 S West St #356
Paola, KS 66071
Phone: 913-259-3600
Visitation
Start Date: August 17, 2021, 10:00 am
End Date: August 17, 2021, 12:00 pm
Amos Family Funeral Home
10901 Johnson Dr.
Shawnee, KS 66203
Phone: 913-631-5566
Final Resting Place
Paola City Cemetery
360 S West St #356
Paola, KS 66071
Mother dedicated the early years of her children’s lives to raising and caring for her family. Once the children were in school she took a job with the U.S. Post Office in Shawnee, Kansas and continued her career in various KC locations until she retired. Like most working mothers she always put her children and grandchildren above all else. She made sure there was always something fun to do and she also encouraged culture by making our own “field trips” when we had days off of school. She laughed easily and enjoyed visiting with family and friends. Her sister was her dearest friend and she missed her terribly when she was gone. They had more fun together than anyone I know. She also treasured her best friend, Twila Frye. They were “besties” in school and all through their adult lives.
Jeannie loved to travel and hit the road or sky every chance she got. She traveled to just about every U.S state including Hawaii and also visited Mexico, Canada and Grand Caymen Island.
Mom and Dad enjoyed their church family and attended every Sunday when the children were growing up. As she grew older she still attended most weeks unless the weather kept her home.
Jeannie was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Lewis Dewayne Smith.
She is survived by her children Lewis R Smith (Betty) of Corvalis, OR, Thomas E (Mary Ann) Smith of Monroe, GA, Linda S Choate (Duane Walker) of Merriam, KS, Steven C (Jill) Smith of Lawrence, KS and Jason J (Kathrine) Smith of Colorado Springs, Co.; grandchildren Lynna Vallier of Monroe, GA, Michael (Megan) Choate of Leawood, KS, Aubrie (Scott) Choate Craig of Olathe, KS, Samuel (Brittany) Franclemont of Nacogdoches, TX, Madeline Smith and Claire Smith of Colorado Springs, CO.; great-grandchildren: Kaitlyn Vallier, Adam Vallier, Alyssa Drewery, Lawson Choate, Liam Choate, and Logan Craig.
A visitation in Jeannie's honor will be held on Tuesday, August 17th, 2021 at the Amos Family Funeral Home from 10 am to 12 pm. Burial will follow after the visitation at 1 pm at the Paola City Cemetery in Paola, Kansas. Memorial contributions in Jeannie's honor can be made to the Shawnee United Methodist Church, and the Alzheimer's Association.
Events
Graveside Service
Start Date: August 17, 2021, 1:00 pm
End Date: August 17, 2021, 12:00 am
Paola City Cemetery
360 S West St #356
Paola, KS 66071
Phone: 913-259-3600
Visitation
Start Date: August 17, 2021, 10:00 am
End Date: August 17, 2021, 12:00 pm
Amos Family Funeral Home
10901 Johnson Dr.
Shawnee, KS 66203
Phone: 913-631-5566
Final Resting Place
Paola City Cemetery
360 S West St #356
Paola, KS 66071
Guestbook
Visits: 1
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