Eva Grace Smith

Eva Grace Smith, age 91 of Butler, went home to be with the Lord, Monday, March 13, at Bates County Memorial Hospital in Butler. She was born July 6, 1925, to Samuel Jay and Martha Lela Mitchell Reedy in Harwood.

Grace was one of 18 children. On April 9, 1947, she was united in marriage to Thomas Leon Smith in Fort Scott. Throughout their lives together, they operated a furniture store in Appleton City, Mo. They then started farming near Montrose, Mo., and later Lowry City, Mo. They also farmed near Collins, Mo., and finally in Harwood. They spent their last few years in Butler.

Grace enjoyed watching westerns on television, playing dirty bingo, flower gardening, reading and word searches. She loved embroidering -- and was very talented. Grace also liked her Sunday nights at the Happy Hill Outreach Center and Community Cafe Tuesday experiences.

Grace is survived by one son, Ernest Leon Smith and wife Kathy, of Nevada; three daughters, Sharon Kay Smith of Butler, Katherine Ellen Osborn and husband Kenny, of Rock, Kan., and Pamela Sue Slater and husband Harry, of Grass Valley, Calif.; one sister, Jewell Ellerman, of El Dorado Springs; a sister-in-law, Janis Smith, of Butler; brother-in-law, Roy Hart of Paul, ID; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and numerous nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Thomas Smith in 2003; nine brothers; seven sisters; and a granddaughter, Amanda Smith.

Funeral services are 11 a.m. Saturday, March 18, at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel in Butler, with Pastor Ron Dunlap. Visitation is from 10-11 a.m., Saturday, March 18, at Schowengerdt Chapel. Burial will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, March 18, at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery near El Dorado Springs. Contributions to Butler Senior Citizens Center. Online condolences may be made at www.schowengerdtchapel.com.