Mrs. Agnes Smith, who had lived on the county line north of Coldwater, died quite suddenly in her home on Friday afternoon, June 30. She was sitting in a chair waiting to go to Greensburg with a grandson, Clark Smith, and his wife. When Clark and his wife came in to awaken her, they discovered that she had gone home to be with her Lord. She had not been in good health but her death was unexpected.Mrs. Smith was born April 28, 1897 and passed from this life on Friday afternoon, June 30, 1972. Funeral services were held in the Hatfield Funeral Home in Coldwater on Monday, July 3, and were in charge of Rev. David Robinson, pastor of the local Friends church.
Mrs. Hazel McMurray was the organist and she accompanied a quartet consisting of Carl Burkhall, Marvin Plank, Dorothy Burkhall and Lorene Kile. They sang "Peace in the Valley."
David Robinson sang "Known Only to HIm."
Pallbearers were Clark Smith, James Smith, Mark Smith, Frank Farthing, Gary Robbins, and Galen Robbins. Interment was in Crown Hill Cemetery, Coldwater.
Obituary. Agnes Elithe Long, daughter of Olive Sabina and Blackburn W. Long, was born April 28, 1897 near Lyons, Kans., and departed this life June 30, 1972 at the age of 75 years, 2 months and 2 days at her home.
At the age of three, she moved with her family to a farm near Haviland, Kans. She graduated from Greensburg high school with the class of 1918. After completing her normal training, she taught a term of school at Reeder in Kiowa county, Kans.
On December 29, 1920 she was united in marriage with J. Frank Smith at Greensburg, Kans. They lived all their married life on the southern Kiowa county line and to this union were born four children: Irene L. Farthing, Lakewood, N. J., George R. Smith, Coldwater; Edith M. Smith, St. Louis, Mo., and Lola B. Robbins, Coldwater.
Mrs. Smith became a member of the Friends church at an early age and supported its doctrines and beliefs all her life. At the time of her marriage she transferred her membership from Prairie Flower Meeting near Haviland, Kans., to Prairie Vale Friends, later Coldwater Friends. Her strong Christian faith served as a guiding influence in the rearing of her family and in both church and community activities. She was an energetic and loving mother and wife and gave freely of her time and concern to family and friends alike.
She was a 50 years member of the Rebekah Lodge and the Royal Neighbors. Besides her avid interest in her family and life around her, Mrs. Smith pursued the hobbies of setting together quilts, gardening and sewing.
Survivors beside the four children are nine grandchildren: Gary and Galen Robbins, Clark and Lorraine Smith of Coldwater, Frank Farthing and Diana Farthing Traster of Lakewood, N. J., James, Mark, and Rhonda Smith of S. Louis, Mo. One sister, Bina Smith of Manter, Kans., a brother, Ralph G. Long of Johnson, Kans., and an aunt, Claire Ginter, Temple City, Calif., a host of nieces and nephews.
Her cheerful and sunny disposition will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!
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