Mary Alene Smith

Mary Alene Smith

Mary Alene Smith, age 88, a resident of rural Pleasanton, Kan. died late Thursday, April 18, 2013, at her home. Alene was born Oct. 31, 1924, in Adkins, Ark., to George Wayne Crouthers and Ona Mae Heflin Crouthers. She married Jewel Robert Smith on April 17, 1945. He preceded her in death on April 12, 1964. Alene, also known as "Mama" to many, was a lifelong resident of Belton, Mo., until 2004, when Pleasanton, Kan., became her home. She had made her home with her daughter, Lynne Filla and husband Paul, for the past eight years. She was a contract specialist for the U.S. Government before her retirement in 1984. She was a member of the Community Christian Church in Fort Scott, Kan., a prior member of the Belton United Methodist Church, Order of the Eastern Star, had served on the executive board for Job's daughters, and the Belton Parent Teachers Association.

Survivors include two daughters, Lynne Filla and husband Paul, of the home in Pleasanton, and Barbara Walker; four grandsons, including Michael Filla and wife Lori, Olathe, Kan., and five nieces. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by one daughter, one sister and two brothers.

Rev. Kevin Moyers will conduct funeral services at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, at the Community Christian Church. The family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. until service time at the church. Burial will be at 2 p.m. at the Belton Cemetery, Belton, Mo. Memorials are suggested to the Community Christian Church and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.