Nancy Caroline Smith (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Nancy Caroline Smith, daughter of William Cleo and Naomi Lillian Bradley Wingo, was born August 25, 1940, near Buffalo, in Dallas County, Missouri. She departed this life Wednesday, July 20, 2022, in Mercy Hospital, in Springfield, Missouri, at the age of eighty-one years, ten months, and twenty-five days.
On June 6, 1959, she was united in marriage to Clifton Ronald Smith, and to this union four daughters and one son were born.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Bonita Gail Smith (Nicole’s mother); a grandson, Christian A. Smith; a sister, Pat Medley, and her husband, Dale; and two brothers-in-law, Jerry Skopec, and Jim Erickson.
Nancy is survived by her loving husband of sixty-three years, Clifton, of the home near Lebanon, Missouri; a son, Jeffrey N. Smith, of Lebanon, Missouri; the mothers of Jeffrey’s children, Sheila and Edie; three daughters, Deborah Podoll, of Lebanon, Missouri, Angela Unhjem, and her husband, Troy, of Prairie Village, Kansas, and Nicole Klemin, and her husband, Mark, of Lebanon, Missouri; ten grandchildren, Cody Unhjem, Jordan Podoll, Nikita Pline, and her husband, Joseph, Reese Klemin, Grant Klemin, Gabrielle Smith, and her wife, Jenn Estrella, Sydney Pillman, and her husband, Christopher, Tiffany Smith-Burd, and her husband, John, Nathaniel Smith, and Melody Munoz, and her husband, Adam; three great-grandchildren, Elliot Jones, Luca Munoz, and Lillian Pillman; a brother, Keith Wingo, and his wife, Penny, of Buffalo, Missouri; four sisters, Becky Bonner, and her husband, Dave, of Buffalo, Missouri, Reba Erickson, of Bonner Springs, Kansas, Darlene Skopec, of Buffalo, Missouri, and Cheris Bass, and her husband, Randy, of Bonner Springs, Kansas; a number of wonderful nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
She was raised in the Windyville community, and played softball and basketball during her high school years. She was also crowned Carnival queen before graduating with honors and as Valedictorian of her Class of Windyville High School. She then moved to Kansas City, Missouri where she worked for the Hallmark Company for a short time. She met her future husband on a blind date and soon after they were married. They made their home in St. Charles for a few years where they started raising their family before returning to Lebanon in 1963. They made their home on a farm near Lebanon and took over the Cackle Hatchery from Clifton’s parents, Clifford and Lena Smith which they operated together up to the current time. Nancy and Clifton both worked hard to keep the hatchery going and keep things happening. For the past ten years, they have also owned and operated Clifton’s West Side Café just across the street from the hatchery.
Nancy was a longtime active member of Trinity Lutheran Church. She was involved in many phases of church work and was always willing to help anyone in need. Church attendance was always a priority in her family and she worked hard at continuing that through the years. Her mission field was her family and their work place associates who she worked with together as a team in building the hatchery to places she never dreamed was possible. She also worked hard at renovating the west end of Lebanon.
In her spare time she enjoyed sewing, crocheting, and working in her garden. She was an avid reader, liked playing games and enjoyed watching Wheel of Fortune and The Price Is Right on television. Her family was at the center of her life and love was the essence of her. She was the glue that held everyone and everything together. She was the Rock of her family, and loved them all very much. She especially enjoyed having time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Nancy was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and know that her family and friends will cherish the wonderful memories she created with them during her eighty-one years.
A memorial has been established to Trinity Lutheran Church and donations may be left at the funeral home.
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