SMITH, Willa Florene "Flo" (Edwards) - b. July 19, 1940 - d. December 6, 2017

[patyrn]

Willa Florene "Flo" Smith, age 77, went to her heavenly home on December 6, 2017 while in the comfort of her home.  She was born July 19, 1940 in Elk County, Kansas in Union Center Township northwest of Howard, Kansas.  She was born the daughter of Harold Isaac and Veda May (Johnson) Edwards.

At the age of 5, Flo and her older sister were brought to Severy, Kansas to live with their Grandpa and Grandma Edwards after their father returned from service at the end of World War II.  Their younger sister stayed at the foster home in Eureka, Kansas 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.

Florene met and married Lewis Dean Smith on October 12, 1958, and to this union were born three daughters.  She was so proud of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and loved them each so very much. They spent their entire married life in Severy, Kansas.  Lewis preceded her in death on September 17, 1995, a victim of cancer.

Florene went to work outside the home when her youngest child started Kindergarten, first as an education secretary for the Severy school system and then as a legal secretary.  Following that, she was a teller and Assistant Cashier at Severy State Bank until it sold.  Then she worked at Home Bank & Trust in Eureka as a Teller and Assistant Cashier.  She was later the 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.  Then then sold her home east of Severy, Kansas and moved to Howard, Kansas, but getting up and not going to work was boring for her, so she worked a few years in a flower shop and then at First National Bank in Howard as Teller/Bookkeeper.  She finally retired for the last time at age 73.  Her mind kept 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.  She could also read music.  She taught herself to play the piano and electric organ.  If someone asked her to 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 or rip open with a wild honky-tonk song.  She loved playing them all. Florene was a member of the Severy United Methodist Church where she played piano and organ for many years.

Florene 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, Cheyenne Smith, Brittney (John) Garrison, Ashley Cheever, and Courtney (Brannon) DuBose; 14 great-grandchildren; sisters, Frances Amall of Lebo, Kanss and Mary Sue Malik of Pawnee City, Nebraska; and her half-sister, Marie Felix of Haysvillle, Kansas. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives as well as many friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lewis; her parents; her stepmother, Gertrude Edwards; and Florence (Hillman) Johnson and Thomas J. and Nancy (Messner) Edwards; and a half-brother, Curtis Hillman.

A memorial service will be held for Florene on Thursday, December 14, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at the Severy United Methodist Church in Severy, Kansas.  Burial will follow at South Lawn Cemetery in Severy, Kansas.  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 for the family at www.countrysidefh.com.  Arrangements are entrusted to Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, Kansas 67349.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)