Frances Lucille Smith, 80, Hays, died Thursday, May 19, 2022, at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita.
She was born May 27, 1941, in Pflugerville, Texas, the daughter of Willie and Frances Julia (Kruger) Smith. She was a Pflugerville High School graduate in the class of 1959, attended Texas Lutheran College earning a Bachelor’s Degree in English, and later earned her Master’s Degree. For 38 years, she passionately taught high school English, speech, photography, journalism, newspaper, and yearbook, retiring in 2003. Her career began in Beeville, Texas and included schools in Sidney Nebraska, and Lenora, Goodland, and Ulysses, Kansas. On June 18, 1966, she was united in marriage to Denny D. Smith in Pflugerville, and they were married 55 years before he preceded her in death on September 17, 2021. Francis was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Woman’s Auxiliary Club, Beta Xi, recognized in Who’s Who Among American Teachers, and active in Lions Club International where she served as Council Chair and received the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award. She enjoyed her cats, baking desserts, and making jewelry. Frances expressed her love for writing through poetry, short stories, and stories about her childhood. She was a talented artist, enjoying water coloring and drawing Christmas pictures for handmade Christmas cards.
Survivors include her two sons: Christopher Smith (Jason Blackwell) of Los Angeles, CA and Alden Smith (Phyllis) of Mundelein, IL, a stepson: Brent Smith (Lynn Hoobler) of Topeka, a brother: Hugh Lee Smith (Cheryl) of Marble Falls, TX, a grandson: Kinton Smith (Sarah), a great grandson: Ronin, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
A celebration of Frances’ life will be Friday, May 27, 2022, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Hays, with Pastor Brenda Rodger and Fr. Tom Kerschen officiating. The family will receive friends from 9:00 am until service time at the church.
Memorials may be made payable to Lions Club or to Christopher Smith to be used for journalism programs in schools where Frances taught, in care of Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. Condolences and memories of Frances may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com