Arlene Smith

Ruth Arlene Smith, daughter of the late James & Ruth (Gillilan) Hanlin, was born on July 3, 1934 in Miller, Kansas and departed this life on December 18, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. At the time of her passing she was 84 years of age.

Arlene graduated from high school in Miller, where she met Bill Smith, a strapping young lad from the mean streets of Kansas. The lovebirds married on December 12, 1953. Arlene raised three somewhat attractive children, whom she loved dearly, despite their average looks. In addition to raising her children, she worked at Jean’s Flowers, Catherine’s, and Smith Insurance Company, where she was the CEO for 10 years. She was an active and devoted member of her church, McMurry United Methodist, where she enthusiastically rang bells in the bell choir and was a member of the United Methodist Women’s Group. Arlene loved gardening, her church, traveling (she visited every state), and spending time with her friends and family. She loved her grandkids (the next generation was cuter), and spoiled them with buttery rolls, marshmallow-topped Jello, and unwavering love and support. Quick to laugh and hug and love you, Arlene will be sorely missed by us all.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Lawrence (Larry) Hanlin. She is survived by her (still handsome) husband, William (Bill) Smith; children, Anthony (Tony) and Jill Smith, Kimberly (Kim) and Rob Rader, and Timothy (Tim) and Donna Smith; sisters, Nancy Moorhead and Virginia Hoernke; four grandkids; two great-grandkids; and nieces and nephews too numerous (and unassuming) to count.