JOHNSON – Lois Jean (Kilgore) Smith, 81, died Thursday, April 4, 2024.
She was born Sept. 27, 1942, to Bernard and "Mikie" (Wheeler) Kilgore.
She married Mike Smith Feb. 6, 1971. Their union was a testament to devotion, spanning more than five decades of love and laughter.
Famed for her wit and unshakable spirit, she navigated life with a humor and grace all her own. When traveling, she always visited nurseries and filled every inch of the Bonanza, RV, or pickup truck with exquisite flowers that permeated the air – and barely left room for her family.
An avid spectator at her grandkids' volleyball, football, and softball games (and ardent Kansas City Chiefs fan late in life), Lois was the granny loudly honking her horn to rally the team to victory.
She always put her needs last. Whether caring for her cancer-stricken mom, setting aside her yard work to iron the kids' clothing, or pausing cleaning to make a home-cooked lunch and wash Mike's Air Tractor windshield, she was always two or three steps ahead of everyone else. She never complained about these opportunities to care for others. She was a woman who, despite personal sacrifices, nurtured a family, a home, and a legacy of kindness that reached far beyond the confines of her garden.
Survivors include sons, Shaun Troutman and Brandon Smith; daughter, Leslie (Doug) Harbour; grandchildren: Landin Troutman, Ellison Troutman, Addison Harbour, Keaton Harbour, and her “adopted” grandson Gerardo Robles; sister, Darlene (Ronnie) Davis; 14 brother and sister in-laws; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; and her five beloved barn cats: Orph, Simon, Tom, Tux, and Mama. The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Elizabeth Bailey, Michelle Burt, Mary Smith, Janelle Nickell, Jessie Muret, nurse Larissa Polzin and nurse Tina Kerns.
She was preceded in death by husbands, Mike Smith and Mike Troutman; her parents; mother-in-law, Ann (Grilliot) Smith and father-in-law, Mahlon Smith; brothers-in-law, Calvin Warnock and Gerald Brickman; sister, Pat (Kilgore) Brickman; nephew, Kelly Brickman; sister-in-law, Kathy (Smith) Tomlin; brother-in-law, Harold Tomlin; and great nephews-in-law, Roland Tomlin and Ike Beauchamp.
• Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, April 19, 2024 at the Stanton County Cemetery in Johnson, with Vernon Butt presiding.
Memorials are suggested to the My Stuff Bags Foundation, in care of Garnand Funeral Home at PO Box 715, Johnson, KS 67855, a cause close to Lois' heart, providing comfort and belongings to children in need.
Condolences may be left at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.