Florene Edwards Smith's Obituary
Florene “Flo” Smith, age 77, went to her heavenly home on Wednesday, December 6, 2017 while in the comfort of her home. Florene Edwards Smith was born July 19, 1940, in Elk County Kansas in Union Center Township northwest of Howard, KS. She was born the daughter of Harold Isaac and Veda May (Johnson) Edwards.
At the age of 5, she and her older sister were brought to Severy to live with their grandpa and grandma Edwards after their father returned from service at the end of WWII. Their younger sister stayed at the foster home in Eureka, where they had been, until it was time for her to start school. Florene started first grade at Severy Grade School and graduated from Severy High School in 1958.
She met and married Lewis Dean Smith on October 12, 1958 and to this union were born three daughters. They spent their entire married life in Severy, KS. Lewis preceded her in death on September 17, 1995, a victim of cancer.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, step-mother Gertrude Edwards, grandparents, William and Florence (Hillman) Johnson and Thomas J. and Nancy (Messner) Edwards, and a half-brother Curtis Hillman.
She was a member of the Severy United Methodist Church where she played piano and organ for many years.
She is survived by her daughters, Pamela Florene (Joe) Cheever, Kelly Ann (Scott) Hunter and Denise Lynn Smith and friend Steve Patrick. Seven grandchildren: Joshua (Sarah) Watson, Lewis (Shellie) Watson, Tiffany (Dannie) Bonham, Wendy Apsley, Cheyenne Smith, Brittney (Josh) Garrison, Ashley Cheever and Courtney (Brannon) DuBose, and 14 great-grandchildren with number 15, Liam, due in a few weeks. Sisters Frances Small of Lebo, KS and Mary Sue Malik of Pawnee City, Neb., half-sister Marie Felix of Haysville, KS and sister-in-law Sharada Schroeder. She was so proud of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and loved them each so very much. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives, as well as many friends.
Florene went to work outside the home when the youngest started kindergarten. First as an education secretary for the school system, then as a legal secretary, following that she was a Teller and asst. cashier at Severy State Bank until it sold then she worked at Home Bank & Trust in Eureka as Teller and asst. cashier, and later Manager of the drive-in bank. She quit working in 1993 to pursue their antique refinishing business until her husband became ill. After his death she went to work at Severy Co-op until she retired at age 65. She then sold her home east of Severy and moved to Howard, but getting up and not going to work was boring for her so she worked a few years in a flower shop then at First national bank in Howard as teller/bookkeeper. She finally retired for the last time at age 73. Her mind said keep working, but her body told her to go home and stay there.
Florene’s love other than her family and friends was her music. She started playing piano at an early age and had what she called her “God-given talent” to play mostly by ear, but she could read music also. She taught herself to play piano and electric organ. If someone asked could she play a certain song, she gave new meaning to “hum a few lines” because most likely she would take off playing the song. She could play the sweetest hymns of praise and rip open with a wild honky tonk song. She love playing them all.
A memorial service for Florene will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 14, 2017 at the Severy United Methodist Church in Severy, Kansas. Burial will follow at South Lawn Cemetery, Severy, KS. The family has suggested a memorial to the West Elk Music Department which may be left with or sent to the funeral home. Online condolences may be left at www.countrysidefh.com Arrangements entrusted to Countryside Funeral Home, 206 East Washington, PO Box 1233, Howard, KS 67349.
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