MINNEOLA – Letha Mae Smith, 91 died Thursday, December 16, 2021 2021 at the Minneola Long Term Care in Minneola.
Letha was born to Clarence J. Patton and Eula Fern (Jackson) Patton in rural Custer County, Oklahoma. Her dad farmed and her mother taught at several rural one room schools during the Great Depression. After living on several farms in western Custer County she moved with her parents and siblings to the farm her parents purchased three miles east of Thomas, Oklahoma. While living here she attended and graduated from Thomas High School in 1948.
While attending Thomas High School she met her future husband Howard Smith and they were married in the United Brethren Church, where she was a member, on August 28, 1948. He preceded her in death on December 31, 2009.
They moved with Howard’s family to Alva, Oklahoma where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and Howard earned a teaching degree in Industrial Arts in 1952. During Christmas break in 1952-1953 Howard accepted a teaching position in Harold, Texas where they remained for a year and a half. They spent their summers in Colorado Springs while living in Texas where Howard worked in a filling station and they spent as much time as they could in the mountains.
Letha and Howard enjoyed retirement and made several trips to Branson, Galveston, and the black hills of South Dakota. They spent at least two weeks each summer in Colorado from the middle 1960’s until their health prevented this. Letha also enjoyed painting and sewing.
They moved to Minneola, Kansas in 1955 where Howard accepted a teaching position at Minneola High School and taught until his retirement in the early 1990’s.
Letha served as a member of the Minneola Library Board for eleven years and then served as Library Director for 23 years retiring in 1996.
Letha is survived by two sons, Tony Smith, Minneola and Pratt and Jerry Smith and wife Charlotte, Cedar Park Texas; grandson, Jerrod Dean Smith and granddaughter, Ryan Mary Smith.
She was also preceded in death by both of her parents, infant son, Bryan Don Smith, 2 brothers Garlan and wife Alverta, and Alvin and wife Ethyl Patton.
Funeral service will be at 10:00 am on Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at the Minneola United Methodist Church with Pastor Charles Muthiani officiating. Burial will follow in the Appleton Township Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Minnis Mortuary, Minneola.
The family suggests memorials to the Minneola Library in care of Minnis Mortuary, 1901 N. 14th Ave., Dodge City, Kansas 67801. Condolences may be sent to www.minnismortuary.net.
