Janet Marie Davis Smith, 76, of Harrison, Ark., formerly of Kahoka, Mo., died Saturday, Oct. 20, 2007, at Saint John's Mercy Hospital in Springfield, MO.

Janet was born March 30, 1931, in Keosauqua, Van Buren Co., IA, the daughter of Bruce and Delores Barker Davis. She grew up in Keosauqua vicinity and graduated from Keosuaqua High School. On Aug. 5, 1948, she was united in marriage to Wilbert Smith. They made their home in Medill, MO. The last seven years they lived in Harrison, AR.

Mrs. Smith worked for Northeast Missouri Library Service as the Book Mobile Coordinator. In 1980, she became Director, serving four counties. After retirement, she worked for Northwest Arkansas Economic Development as an Activity Assistant, devoting herself to those in need of care. She was a graduate of Keosauqua High School. She was an avid reader, and never lost her love for books. In her spare time she enjoyed crossword puzzles, playing cards with family and friends, gardening, and spending time with family.

Survivors include her husband, Wilbert, of Harrison, AR; one daughter, Connie Smith Gutting of Kimberling City, Mo.; three sons, Randy Smith and his wife, Karen, of Kahoka, MO., Alan and his wife, Debbie, of Reeds Spring, Mo., and Roger and his wife, Brenda, of Harrison, AR; seven grandchildren: Trevor and Melissa Gutting, Kelsey Smith Lesinki, Lindsey Smith, Cody and Sean Smith, and Tyler and Mirands Smith; three great-grandsons; Wyatt and Kolten Gutting and Aiden Lesinki; one sister, June Davis Wiley of Keosauqua, IA; brother-in-law, Carl and Mary Smith; sister-in-law, Twila and Steve Wjocik, and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her sister, Ruth Ann Wright.

The memorial service for Mrs. Smith was held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Wilson Funeral Home in Kahoka. Friends may register at the funeral home after noon on Friday, where the family received friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Inurnment will be in the Kahoka Cemetery.

A memorial has been established for the H. E. Sever Memorial Library.

Source: Newspaper Obituary: «i»The Hawk Eye«/i», 24 Oct 2007.