Mary Louise Smith (Simms)

Mary Louise Smith, 84, of Independence, MO passed away Friday evening, October 14, 2016 at Centerpoint Medical Center. Services will be 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 19, 2016 at the Speaks Suburban Chapel, 18020 E. 39th St., Independence, MO 64055. Burial will follow in Mt. Washington Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 6 to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday evening at the chapel. Mary was born January 24, 1932 in Jodie, West Virginia to Cuthbert C. and Iris (Forbes) Simms. She spent her early life in West Virginia and settled in Independence with her husband in the mid 1960’s. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and homemaker who lived to love and encourage others. She was steadfast in her faith, never wavering, praying daily for each family member and reading the Bible. She was a light to all that knew her. It was her ministry to help and encourage everyone, even with great physical limitations in recent years. She was a member of Central Assembly of God in Independence. She was a member of TOPS and enjoyed spending time at the Palmer Senior Center. She is survived by her 4 children: Michael Allen Smith of Edwardsville, KS, Stephen Daniel Smith of Independence, MO, Karen Maureen Johnson and husband, Steve, of McKinney, TX, and Constance Elisabeth Durrell of Blue Springs, MO; a brother-in-law, Lloyd Gale Sparks, of Fort Wayne, IN and 6 grandchildren: Kori, Kati, Jordan, Emily, Tori, and Madison. She was preceded in death by her husband, Warren Webster Smith, on June 14, 2001, 2 brothers, William “Bill” Simms, Charles “Rusty” Simms, and 3 sisters, Molly Skaggs, Shirley Sparks, and Nan Miller. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel (816) 373-3600)