Christi Lynn Tapia

Christi Lynn (Smith) Tapia, 61 of Arkansas City passed away on Friday, February 27, 2026 at her residence.

Daughter of David D and Carol Gray Smith was born on September 7th, 1964 in Arkansas City. She is oldest child of two, her baby brother Alan came when she was four and she was the proudest big sister, although she really enjoyed teasing him. She was raised in Arkansas City her entire life and attended high school at ACHS, graduated in 1983 and attended Cowley College and received a degree in drafting.

Starting from a very early age she found her love for sports. Her main sport was softball, one of the best players on her team and made MVP multiple times. She could never get enough of it and met some of her life long friends.

She enjoyed spending time at the lake or in the river, or driving around in her Volkswagen Beetle her father rebuilt for her. She had a beautiful love for animals, never being able to turn down a stray.

She met the love of her life Antonio P Tapia Jr (Tony) and they wed on September 29th, 1990, celebrating 35 years of marriage, and over 40 years together. While dating they enjoyed playing softball together, dancing and competing with each other in any way possible, which was their favorite way to flirt.

From this union came three children. Everything life ever gave them only made them stronger and brought them closer together. When it came time to start raising their babies she became a stay at home mom and homeschooled all three. She would say all she ever wanted to be was a wife and mother and Tony was able to make that wish come true. Her love only became stronger when she became a grandma in 2014. She loved her family and her babies endlessly. She spent as much time as she could with her grandson Evan, often having adventures outside, watching Pink Panther and enjoying their favorite snacks together.

She is proceeded in death by maternal grandparents Carl and Louise (Cookie) Gray and paternal grandparents Daniel Smith and Helen Smith Quick, many Aunts including her precious Aunt Jean Gray Buzzard and Uncles.

She is survived by Antonio P Tapia Jr of the home, eldest daughter Carlie Tapia and grandson Evan, youngest daughter Caela and her beloved son in law William Hankins.

Her parents David and Carol Smith. Brother Alan and (Lori) Smith and nieces that were very dear to her heart, Elizabeth, Hannah and Rebecca Smith. As well as her large Tapia family of Winfield, including mother and father in law Antonio Sr and Lupe Tapia.

A memorial service is scheduled for 10:30 a.m., Monday, March 9, 2026 at the Rindt-Erdman Funeral Home in Arkansas City. Interment will follow in the Riverview Cemetery.