Shirley I. Smith (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Shirley Irene Smith, daughter of William and Clara “Tiny” (Snodgrass) Vohl, was born August 25, 1935, in Falls City, Nebraska. She departed this life Tuesday, January 26, 2016, in Mercy Hospital, in Springfield, Missouri, at the age of eighty years, five months, and one day.
On August 26, 1956, she was united in marriage to Richard LaFond Smith, and to this union one son was born.
Her parents preceded her in death.
Shirley is survived by her husband of fifty-nine years, Richard, of the home; a son, Nelson Lee Smith, and his wife, Patricia Collins, of Jacksonville, Florida; three grandchildren, Nicole, Karen, and Stephanie; four great-grandchildren, Ava, Tyler, James, and Jonah; a brother, Ronald Vohl, of Pearland, Texas; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
She was raised in Sabetha, Kansas and in Rolla, Missouri. She graduated from Rolla High School, and then attended college for a short time. She met Richard at Fort Leonard Wood and soon after they were married. They made their home in Blytheville, Arkansas and in Haiti, Missouri, before moving to Rolla. For most of their married life, they resided in San Juan Capistrano, California and lovingly raised their son. Throughout the years, Shirley was a devoted homemaker to her husband and family. In 1999, she and Richard moved to the Lebanon, Missouri area and made their retirement home.
She loved to travel and had visited many of the United States and some places overseas. She was a talented artist and particularly gifted at doing oil paintings, and liked doing craft projects of all kinds, especially ceramics and needlepoint. While she was living in California, she always desired to get back to home. She loved animals and particularly cats and birds. She had an outgoing personality and never met a stranger. She and Richard enjoyed life in the country and spending time together.
Shirley was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and know that she will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by all of her family and friends.
Friends may call at their convenience
What’s your fondest memory of Shirley?
What’s a lesson you learned from Shirley?
Share a story where Shirley's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Shirley you’ll never forget.
How did Shirley make you smile?
