Smith Lowell Hardee

SMITH LOWELL HARDEE

On August 30, 2025, Smith opened his eyes to see Jesus who called him by name out of the darkness into eternity.

Funeral services will be held September 18, 2025, at the Blue River Bible Church 15608 Fairchild Dr, Kansas City, MO 64147. Funeral will be at 6:30 p.m. followed by the visitation at 7:30 p.m. Graveside services will be held September 19, 2025, at Noon at the Siam Cemetery, Siam, Iowa.

Smith Lowell Hardee was born in rural Page County Iowa to Emory & MaryBelle (Smith) Hardee on January 19, 1933. He was the 7th of 8 children. He attended various schools including the Hardee Schoolhouse and graduated in 1951 from Hopkins High School (Missouri).

He met Shirley Ann Renfro, and they began dating his senior year. After her graduation in 1952 they were engaged and married on December 21, 1952. In February of 1953 Smith went into the United States Army to serve in Korea as a Military Police Officer. When he returned home in 1955, they relocated to the Kansas City area where they were blessed with four children.

Smith put his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Savior in 1958 at Blue Ridge Bible Church under the ministry of Wendell Grout. Subsequently he became a member of Blue Ridge Bible Church; Grace Baptist Church of Red Oak, Iowa; First Baptist Church of Bedford, Iowa; Area Bible Fellowship of Clearfield, Iowa; Open Door Bible Church of Belton and most recently Blue River Bible Church of Belton.

During his life he had two primary occupations: carpentry and farming. Smith learned the craft and trade of carpentry working alongside men who would become his lifelong friends. He moved his family to Iowa in the fall of 1971 where he farmed alongside his brother, Robert Hardee in Taylor County. In 1975, he and Bob opened a lumberyard in Hopkins, Missouri. Later he became the sole proprietor. Smith returned to the Kansas City area in 1991 and continued building houses in Grandview and Belton.

As an offering to the Lord, he enjoyed the privilege of assisting in building facilities for churches: Blue Ridge Bible Church, Blue Ridge Baptist Temple, Grace Baptist Church, Clarinda Regular Baptist, Raccoon River Bible Camp, Open Door Bible Church, Leon Bible Church, and Blue River Bible Church.

Smith enjoyed traveling domestically and abroad. In celebration of their 25th anniversary Smith took Shirley to Israel with Ron & Betty Hardee. Dr. Jim Anderson, a longtime friend led the tour.

Smith loved his wife and served his family. Their home was always open to others including Akio Yamaguchi of Japan and numerous missionaries, college students and friends. He sought to honor God by generous giving to various ministries.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Jennie, Emory Jr, Iris, Inez, Robert, Ronald, Naomi; son-in-law, Rob Mauk and grandson, Fletcher Myers.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Shirley, of 72 years, and their 4 children, 23 grandchildren, and 52 great-grandchildren:

Cindy Ann Mauk of Belton, Missouri

David Lowell (Anna) Mauk:

Skyler, Ava, Veronica, Declan

Daniel (Sara) Mauk:

Chaya, Marcella, Judah, Asa

Andrew (Kelly) Mauk:

Noah, Seth, Moriah

Trevor Smith (Beth) Mauk:

Valentine, Charlotte, Petra, Shoshanna

Clay (Angie) Mauk:

Jace, Zane, Kade, Kai

Kami Mauk

Celeste Mauk

Heather Mauk

Garrett Mauk

Stacy Elizabeth Myers of Belton, Missouri

Ashley (Stephen) Weller:

Tesher, Egan, Ziven

Gabriel (Nola) Myers:

Landon, Selah, Colt, Kyler, Walker, Eliyanah, Oaklyn

Vanessa (Artie) Cooper:

Noah

Luke (Amber) Myers:

Elliot Smith, Adah, Molly, Cooper, Quentin

Nathan (Rachel) Myers:

Natalie, Juliet, Lydia, Taryn, Titus, Danielle, Bryce, Sparrow

Taylor Myers:

Jetlyn, Lincoln

Bronwyn Myers

Craig Lowell (Ann) Hardee of Topeka, Kansas

Dale Lowell (Jessica) Hardee

Jay Hardee:

Hadessah, Ringo

Alan (Janna) Hardee

Derek Hardee

Brian Renfro (Charlene) Hardee of Ozawkie, Kansas

Benjamin (Sarah) Hardee:

Cyrus, Roseanna, Abram

Amanda (Melchizedek) Ntim

Melissa (Taylor) Zook:

Robert, Charlie.

Arrangements: Cullen Funeral Home, Inc., Raymore, Missouri 816.322.5278