Obituary of Verda Smith

Verda was born in McDonald, Kansas, on the family farm on July 8, 1923 and was the oldest identical twin born that day to Clarence and Verna Moreland and passed away at her home in Lovington on December 17, 2015. She was raised in McDonald and proved to be the shyest of the twins. There were seven siblings waiting for them to arrive with two more to come later. The twins were put on display with people trying to guess who was who and they were made to sing in church, which she did, but it was painful for her. Her favorite thing was being a drum majorette in the marching band in high school and having a crush on one of the biggest pranksters in school, Jr. (John) Smith. After graduation she and her twin were moved to Denver, CO to experience life. Coming from a small Kansas town, Denver was overwhelming, and she was afraid of riding a trolley, but dancing was another story. She loved to dance and to the end of her life, music would keep a smile on her face and a tap in her toe. John Smith realized that she might be having too much fun in Denver without him so he mailed an engagement ring to her and they were married on August 8, 1942. John was still in service and Verda followed him to Wisconsin and Maryland. After his discharge they returned to Kansas to farm, then later moving to Burlington, CO where Larry Kent Smith was brought into the world. Five years later, they were blessed with a daughter, Debra Kay Smith. Verda was famous for her cooking, with baking and Christmas Candy her specialities and even at 92 the entire kitchen was her space. At family reunions the desserts were raffled off and her German Chocolate cake brought top dollar, once topping $250.00. She moved to Lovington in 1979 when her husband died and her ministry was baking for others and making people feel welcome. Daily devotions and Bible readings were her morning and night ritual. “Jesus knows my needs” she would say and He will take care of me. Verda was a kind, loving, listener, a faithful servant and friend. She was a confidant and never told secrets. She stayed current with the news and kept her mind sharp. Larry and I were the luckiest children in the world when God gave us Verda Mary Moreland Smith as our mother. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; ten siblings and grandson-in-law, David cummings. Those of us left with a void in our heart, son: Larry & wife Karen Smith of Rosebud, AR; daughter: Debbie and husband Scott Lewellen of Lovington, NM; six grandchildren: Kelly & husband Trey Kerby , Erin cummings, Lisa & husband Keith Russell; Sandi and husband Jeff Hoopes; Justin and wife Amanda Smith; Traci and husband Chris Jones and fifteen great- grandchildren; two sister-in-laws: Marlene Schnoover and Marsha Smith; and a host of nieces, nephews and special friends. “Who can find a virtuous woman for her price is far above rubies.” Proverbs 31:10