Othelia Smith

Othelia Ruth Smith, age 81, passed away on March 27th, 2023.   Othelia was born on December 2nd, 1941, in Keokuk, Iowa, daughter of the late Otto Scott Hess and Gladys Ruth (Karnes) Hess.  She graduated from Wayland High School in Wayland, Missouri.  She attended Missouri Southern State University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education.  She married James Ronald Smith in October of 1959. James preceded her in death on October 19th, 2017.   In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, Otto Scott Hess and Gladys Ruth Davis, two sisters Ruby and Carol Anne, and a daughter Janice L Smith, who died in 2013.  She is survived by a daughter Juanita R Smith, five grandchildren Jeffrey R Smith, Destiny J Briscoe, Bryan L Smith, Kristopher M Smith and Tiffany S Merritt, 17 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.   

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later time and date.

Lovingly written by the family.