Maria Louise Smith

Maria Louise Smith

Maria Louise Smith, age 75, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at her home. Maria was born June 20, 1948, to her parents, Charles Meek and Betty Graham. She was the oldest of four children. She was born in Fort Scott, Kan., where she grew up and attended school. Maria married James Linn, who she had three children with but later divorced. Maria remarried in 1988 to Bill Smith. She worked as a supervisor at Peerless for 25 years. In Maria’s younger years, she enjoyed playing softball as a catcher and dancing whenever given the chance. As she got older, Maria loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. She also enjoyed listening to music on her record player and watching NBA basketball games.

Maria is survived by her three children, Cindy Marsh (Ashley Stark) of Fort Scott, James Linn Jr., (Junie) of South Carolina and Ganette Davidson of Fort Scott. She is also survived by one brother, 15 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Maria was preceded in death by her two husbands, parents, two brothers, two nephews and a granddaughter.

Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, March 22 at the Centerville Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Maria Smith Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.