SMOOT, LaVada Marie (Kimzey) - b. June 18, 1935 - d. Novemberf 24, 2023

[patyrn]

LaVada Marie Smoot, a longtime resident of rural Wilson County, Kansas, departed this life on November 24, 2023 in Augusta, Kansas at the age of 88.  She was born June 18, 1935 in Longton, Kansas to Carl and Rosalie (Marquardt) Kimzey.

LaVada graduated from Longton High School in 1952.  She married Carl Craig Smoot on August 30, 1953 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Parsons, Kansas.  They lived in Wichita, Kansas for 23 years with ther two sons, Danny and Timmy.  During this time, LaVada was employed seasonally by H&R Block as a tax accountant.  She was also employed with B.W. Jones School Bus Company where she earned an Instructor's Certification in Defensive Driving, Safety, and Driver's Training which enabled her to instruct classes for school bus personnel.  In 1975, she participated and won district, state, and national awards in school bus rodeos.  LaVada and her family attended the Ark Valley Christian Church in Wichita where she was baptized into Christ on February 1, 1973.

The family moved to Windsor, Colorado in 1976 where Carl was employed at Kodak.  LaVada drove a school bus for the Windsor Public Schools.  She was a member of the Centennial Christian Church at Loveland, Colorado where she was an organist for eight years.  In 1987, they moved back to Wichita, Kansas for three years.  LaVada once again was employed by School Services and Leasing where she retired as a Safety Director. 

LaVada and Carl moved to Fredonia, Kasnas in 1990 to be closer to her mother in Buffalo, Kasnas.  She attended the Church of Christ during her years in Fredonia.  She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and friend.  She was a beautiful woman with a heart of gold.  Her family, friends and church family were the center of her life.  In her spare time, she enjoyed decorating the church for holidays and special occasions.  She also enjoyed beautifying her yard, walking, spending time with family, and always lending a helping hand to those in need.  LaVada's honesty, sense of humor, generosity, and caregiving nature were well-known.  She will be sorely missed and will live in our hearts forever.

LaVada is survived by her sons, Danny (Dr. Michelle) Smoot and Tim (Doris) Smoot; grandchildren, Timothy Smoot, Lesa Bidwell, Zachary Smoot, and Jamey Smoot; sister, Evelyn Catron; sisters-in-law, Melba Kimzey and Marilyn Kimzey; seven great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and a host of friends and loved ones.  She is preceded in death by her husband, Carl Smoot; her parents, Carl and Rosalie Kimzey; her brother-in-law, Bob Catron; and her brothers, Carl Leroy Kimzey, Jerry E. Kimzey, and Jamey Smoot.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at Countryside Funeral Home in Fredonia, Kansas at 1:00 p.m.  Burial will follow at Longton Cemetery in Longton, Kansas.  Memorials to the Church of Christ in Fredonia, Kansas are suggested and may be left with or mailed to the funeral home.  Countryside Funeral Home, 420 S. 20th Street, Fredonia, Kansas 66736 has been entrusted with arrangements.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)