Florence Smith
December 11, 1923 — October 16, 2009
Florence Lucille Smith, age 85 died Friday October 16, 2009 at Eastridge Nursing Facility in Centralia, Kansas. She was born December 11, 1923 in Grandfield, Oklahoma to Willie Edith Daniel and Alfred Salenous Patterson. Upon graduation from Devol Oklahoma High School she was employed by Western Union and Brown Jewelry Company of Wichita Falls, Texas. From 1960 to 1984 she was employed by Horalek's Store in Centralia and worked part-time for the U.S. Postal system at Centralia and the D.M.U. North Topeka Postal Division in Topeka, Kansas. She was appointed Postmaster for Centralia on May 1, 1981 and retired as Postmaster on January 28, 1984.
Lucille was a member of the United Methodist Church and UMW having held many offices. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary No.216A Order of Eastern Star No 164 in Marysville; having served in all offices. She was a member of N.A.P.U.S,
Lucille married Lloyd Edwin Smith in Wichita Falls, Texas on June 27, 1946. He survives. Other survivors include a son, Joseph Edwin (JoEd) Smith Denver, Colorado; a daughter Gayla Schober and her husband Brad, Centralia; Grandsons Kyle Smith, London, England, Brandon Schober and his wife Debbie Centralia, Taylor Smith, St. Petersburg, Florida and Dallis Schober, Manhattan; One Granddaughter Lindsay Schober and her fiance' Paul Egner, Jr. of Centralia; four Great-grandchildren Emma, Hanna, MaKenna and Hunter Schober; one brother Garland Patterson and his wife Helen, Littlefield, Texas, and a aunt Birdie Ward of Wichita Falls, Texas.
Memorial services were at the United Methodist Church in Centralia, Kansas on Monday October 19, 2009 at 10:30 AM. Visitation was one hour prior to the service in the United Methodist Church fellowship hall. Services were conducted by Rev. Deborah Hanes-Nelson. Julie Gelason was the organist and Pam Bachman was the soloist. Contributions may be made to the Centralia United Methodist Church or Community Health Care Systems, Eastridge or Home Health Departments and sent in care of Hayes Popkess Funeral Home Centralia.