Saturday, February 15, 2025
It is with heavy, but grateful hearts, that the family of Irma "Jean" Smith, 86, announces her passing. Jean went home to be with her Lord on January 25, 2025.
Jean Smith was born May 3, 1938, and spent her early years in Goodland, KS, where her father, Kenneth Carl, worked on the Rock Island Railroad. Her mother, Laurene Carl, was a hard-working homemaker and chef who never knew a stranger. Jean met her husband, Dennis, when her family moved to Topeka while she was in high school. They were married for 46 years prior to his passing in 2001.
Jean spent her time as a loving mother and homemaker and was an avid golfer and painter. She won multiple club tournaments while living in Concordia and taught junior golf for several years. Her painting skills were honed in Concordia as well, where her father made wooden crafts and she painted them for sale and gifts to family. After she and Dennis moved to Topeka, her paintings became more artistic using acrylics on canvas.
Jean was honored to be a Deacon at the Community of Christ Church for many years and her faith was ever present in all she did. She was always happy to pray with people and had a special prayer room in her home just for that purpose.
More than anything else, Jean was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and was very proud and supportive of each of her children and grandchildren.
Jean is survived by her brother, Monte Carl, and his family in Omaha, NE. Also, her children, Debbie Kelley and Chris Smith (Jennifer Smith), both of Topeka. In addition, she is survived by her grandchildren, Nathan and Seth Kelley (Olivia) and Skyler and Wren Smith and great-grandchildren, Payton, Mason, and Diana Kelley and Brody Empson and Brody and Marley Kelley.
The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until the service hour which begins at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Parker-Price Davidson Funeral home at 245 NW Independence Ave, Topeka, KS 66608. Interment will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. A reception will follow the graveside service at the Parker-Price and Davidson Reception Center.
Donations can be made in her honor to three places that were near and dear to her heart: Midland Hospice, The American Cancer Society or to Doorstep.
Her love, humor, and generosity will forever be missed by all who knew her.
