VIDA JO SMITH

Vida Jo Smith was born the daughter of John Drye and Gertrude Meeks Drye on January 8, 1927, in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas and departed this life November 23, 2010, in St. Peters, Missouri, at the age of 83 years. She was united in marriage October 14, 1947, in Thayer, Missouri, to Norman Smith, who preceded her in death on September 11, 1983. She is survived by three sons, Rick Smith and wife Gaichylle of Lenexa, Kansas, Jeffrey Smith and wife Debbie of Weldon Spring, Missouri, and John Smith and wife Lori of Lockwood, Missouri; six grandchildren, Brian Smith, Eric Smith, Robin Smith, Adam Smith, Deidre Smith and Matthew Smith; two great grandchildren, Cierra and Jacob; one brother, Bill Drye and wife Hazel of Thayer, Missouri; one sister, Polly Smith of Quincy, Illinois; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Gertrude Drye; her husband, Norman Smith; two brothers, John and Fred Drye; and two sisters, Rose Marie Rust and Mary Russell. Vida Jo will be remembered as a lady with many talents. She was a licensed cosmetologist, owning and operating a beauty shop in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas. She was a licensed real estate agent, working for Bob Woods Realtor for many years in the Kansas City area. Vida Jo was a purchasing agent for Western Electric in Lee's Summit, retiring in 1988. Mrs. Smith was a member of the Besonia Baptist Church in Kansas City, Missouri, and the Pioneers Retirement Club. She was a kind, loving, caring and giving mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and friend to all. She will be missed by her family and her many friends. Funeral services will be Monday, November 29, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. in the Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer. Burial will be in the Thayer Cemetery with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc., in Thayer.