Phyllis Smith

Phyllis K. Smith, 80, of Kahoka, MO., formerly of Wyaconda, MO., passed away at 9:25 am, on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at the Clark County Nursing Home in Kahoka, MO.

Phyllis was born April 26, 1944, in Columbus, KS. The daughter of Lawrence Edward and Valeta Inone (Hamilton) McElwain.

Phyllis attended and graduated from Cherokee Co. Rural High School in 1962. She moved to Kansas City, MO., after graduation and was employed at Traders National Bank in downtown Kansas City. The Kansas City Chiefs banked at this bank, and she was able to meet several of the players. During that time in Kansas City, she met Rodney M. Smith. They were married August 28, 1966, in Kansas City, MO., at the Broadway Methodist Church. After their marriage, Rodney was drafted into the army, and she lived a bit with her folks in Columbus. During that time, she gave birth to their first child, Scott Martin Smith.

Rodney’s work took them many places, Kirksville, Georgia, and many other places. While living in Jefferson City, they had a daughter, Stacy Lynne Smith. In 1977, they returned to Wyaconda to go to work with Rodney’s father, LeRoy Smith at Smith Brothers Farm Supply. 1978, their second daughter, Leslie Kathleen Smith was born in Keokuk, IA.

Phyllis stayed home to raise her 3 children, and provided a loving, wonderful home for all of her family. She was involved in school activities, Boy Scouts, Booster Club, 4-H and the Wyaconda Methodist Church. They lived just across the street from the church, and often you could find Phyllis there doing some of the Lord’s work; she was the only person ever to drive to Kahoka at 3 am to get fresh donuts for the sunrise service at Wyaconda. She helped with Bible School for many years and was involved in the Wyaconda Community Betterment Committee. She was a wonderful cook, baking the pies and making delicious meals for her family every Sunday. She would set a mighty pretty table with her Fiesta Ware dishes of many beautiful colors. She loved it and was so proud of her collection. Phyllis also loved Christmas and gift giving. The Smith’s were some of the first to put up their Christmas tree in the neighborhood, usually right after Halloween. She quilted blankets for her family and was also very proud of that. Stacy and Phyllis went into the crafting business, making hundreds of tie dye articles and traveled to many craft shows during the spring and fall. She was a tie dye expert. Phyllis was also a member of the Wyaconda Red Hat group and met with them every Thursday morning for breakfast in Wyaconda. Rodney and Phyllis enjoyed traveling to several countries and took several trips with their children while growing up. They also enjoyed their condo in Lake of the Ozark, MO., until her health failed. She had many friends and was a wonderful loving friend to all.

She is survived by her husband, Rodney of 58 years, a son Scott (Crystal) Smith of Kahoka, MO., 2 daughters: Stacy Smith of Kahoka, MO., Leslie (Jeremy) Austin of Gorin, MO., 4 grandchildren: Grace Smith, Margaret Smith, Henry Smith, Bode Austin, 2 sisters: Jeanna (Clark) Zahm of Columbus, KS., Sandra (Kathy) Kobets of Overland Park, KS., sister-in-law: Jean Funck of St Charles, MO., other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her in-laws: LeRoy and Kathleen Smith, granddaughter: Paige Smith, and a brother-in-law: Vincent Funck.

Funeral services for Phyllis Smith will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, January 13, 2025, at Wilson & Triplett Funeral Home in Kahoka, MO., burial at the Wyaconda Cemetery in Wyaconda, MO. Rev. Donald Sherwood and Pastor Bryan Gosney will officiate. Visitation with family present, will be held Sunday, January 12, 2025, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at the Wilson & Triplett Funeral Home. Memorial contributions in memory of Phyllis Kay Smith are suggested to The Tunnel to Towers Foundation, St Jude Children’s Hospital or Shriners Children’s Hospital, and may be left at the Wilson & Triplett Funeral Home, Kahoka, MO. 

 Condolences may be left for the family at www.wilsontriplett.com