Mollie Smith's Obituary
Mollie Smith 74, of Marshall, died Wednesday, December 30, 2009 in Denver, CO.
Mollie Bell Smith was born July 27th, 1935 to Samuel L. and Fannie B. Johnson. The sixth of eight children, and the youngest daughter, Mollie loved her family very much. She once wrote that one of her favorite childhood memories was when her brothers and sisters came back home to visit. Mollie was a woman who was all about family and was very close to all her siblings, children and grandchildren. She was the mother of all mothers and the grandest of all grandmothers.
Throughout her 74 years here on earth, Mollie touched so many lives. She frequently and gladly extended herself to others and was always willing to lend a hand or just simply sit and listen if that is what someone needed.
Mollie lived most of her life in Marshall Missouri. She attended Lincoln Elementary School there and graduated in 1953 from C.C. Hubbard High School. She attended Lincoln University in Jefferson City Missouri majoring in Elementary Education from 1953 to 1954…
She married William L. Smith Sr. in April of 1956 and to that union had 4 children, three boys and one girl. She worked most of her adult life at the Marshall Rehabilitation Center as a teacher’s aide and retired from there in 1995. After retiring, Mollie kept busy working in Home Health. She helped clients with house cleaning, and shopping and became a good friend to those she cared for. She also helped to run the Wayland Food Pantry, providing food and home goods to those in need. She had a way about her that was nurturing, inviting, calming and trusting–and as a result, there are countless people who consider her a friend.
Mollie loved to read and pass that love of reading on to most of her children. She tutored many children in the community and before to moving to Colorado this past summer, was a “Grandmother” at Marshall’s Eastwood Elementary School, helping with their reading program.
When she had moments of leisure, Mollie enjoyed bowling. jigsaw and crossword puzzles, playing bingo, going to the casinos, and making quilts,that are cherished by family members. She also loved the Kansas City Chiefs and was a loyal fan. No matter how badly the Chiefs played; she supported them to the end. She was a devoted and dear member of North Street United Methodist church for many years. She loved her church and her church family.
More than anything, Mollie loved and was extremely proud her family. She attended every athletic event, theatre performance, band concert, awards ceremony and any other activity her children were involved with. She also attended as many events as possible that involved her grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
Mollie departed this life on Wednesday, December 30th, 2009 at The University of Colorado Medical Center, Aurora Co. She leaves to celebrate her memory her 4 children and their spouses, William and Lisa Smith Jr. of Carrolton, Mo., Robert Smith, of Marshall, Deborah and Harold Collins of Aurora, Co., and Clarence and Janet Smith of Lee Summit, Mo. She also leaves eight grandchildren, Jermaine M. Johnson, Destiny Jones, Joshua Jones, Geoff Smith, Caleb Collins, Ryan Collins, Hayden Smith, Lauren Saylor; three step grandchildren, Drew Schiller, Chloe Cooper, and Morgan Cooper, and two great grandchildren, Kiyshanda and Brianna Jones. She leave her beloved brothers, Samuel L. Johnson Jr. of Sacramento Ca., Thomas F. Johnson of St. Louis Mo., and Duain Johnson of Marshall; her endearing loving sister and best friend, Eva Mae Gray of Denver, Co., and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Preceding her in death were her parents, Samuel L. and Fannie B. Johnson, two sisters, Pearl Lee Lawson, Mary Catherine Johnson, and one brother, James Kenneth (Brother) Johnson.
Visitation will be held from6:30-8:30 PM Thursday, January 7, 2010 at North St. United Methodist Church, and a memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM Friday at North St. United Methodist Church.
Acknowledgements, condolences, flowers and such can be sent to
Mollie B. Smith
c/o Katherine Van Buren
721 W. Morrow Street
Marshall Mo, 65340
Mollie Bell Smith will be sorely missed, but never forgotten.
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