Sandy Smith

Sandy Smith, 74 of Sedalia, passed away Friday, January 19, 2018 at Bothwell Regional Health Center, Sedalia. She was born Sandra Sue Ficken on April 25, 1943 at the Independence Sanitarium Hospital in Independence, MO. She was the third child born to Clarence Claus Henry “Doc” Ficken and Bernice Thelma (Wehmeyer) Ficken, who preceded her in death.

Sandy was raised in Independence, MO alongside her sister Nancy. She attended the Rock Creek School for elementary and Junior High School and graduated from East High School in Kansas City in 1961.

Early in Sandy’s life her family helped to found Calvary Presbyterian Church in Kansas City. This congregation would be at the center of the Ficken family’s spiritual and social life. There, she would worship, be baptized and married in the church sanctuary her father physically helped construct.

During her years as a young adult she worked at Doctors Hospital in Kansas City and then for many years at Western Electric in Lee’s Summit. She would later be employed as a Bus Driver in Sedalia and for many years worked food service in the cafeteria at Skyline Elementary in Sedalia until she retired in 2010 to be home and help care for her grandchildren.

In the early 1960s Sandy attended a social gathering with her best friend Vicki Hall, where she met Gene Smith, who was attending the party with his cousin and best friend Walt Smith. This introduction would lead to a few years of dating and their marriage at Calvary Presbyterian Church on June 18, 1966. Gene and Sandy made their home in Lee’s Summit, MO until 1973, when they moved to 2403 South Quincy Avenue in Sedalia.

Family would be the heart of Sandy’s life. Her son Russell Shawn “Rusty” Smith, was born in 1971 at the Medical Center of Independence. Her son Ryan Shane Smith was born in 1982 at Bothwell Hospital. As a mom, she was active in her sons’ lives. She often served as room mother at their schools, as parent sponsor for organizations and sports teams. Her daughters- in- law joined the family as Rusty married Carla N. Lane on April 20, 2002 and Ryan married Lindsey R. Limbaugh on June 10, 2006. Four grandchildren (Savanna, Carsten, Olivia & Avery) would keep her love flowing and give her final years an awesome purpose, as the Smith Family Home Place was often filled with their presence. She valued time spent with her sister and best friend, Nancy. She enjoyed her extended family as she attended family reunions, cousins luncheons, and school activities of her children and grandchildren.

Sandy was a member of First United Methodist Church of Sedalia, a past member of New Bethel United Methodist Church of Sedalia, where she served as Membership Secretary, and was a past member of Calvary Presbyterian Church of Kansas City.

She is survived by her husband Wint Eugene “Gene” Smith of the home; son, Rusty Smith and his wife Carla of Sedalia, son, Ryan Smith and his wife Lindsey of Lee’s Summit; grandchildren, Savanna & Carsten of Sedalia, and Olivia & Avery of Lee’s Summit; sister, Nancy J. Gee of Fortuna; sister-in-law, Bonnie Rowland of Kansas City; and many family members and friends in whom her legacy made a difference.

Sandy was preceded in death by her father, Clarence Ficken, Sr. on September 7, 1988; her mother, Bernice Ficken on November 25, 1988; and her brother, Clarence Ficken, Jr. on October 25, 1937. She mourned the loss of a son during pregnancy in 1980.

Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, January 25, 2018 at Rea Funeral Chapel with Pastor Jim Downing, Jr. officiating,

The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 24, 2018 at the chapel.

Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Sedalia.

Pallbearers will be J.R. Wehmeyer, Clay Oswald, Dale Hogan, Lawrence Sperry, Russell "Sug" Rayl, and Dusty Morey.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Cancer Perks in care of Rea Funeral Chapel.