Rachel L. Smith
1913-2014
Rock Port, Missouri

Rachel L. Smith, the daughter of Carl James and Sarah Ellen (Stovall) Wright, was born August 23, 1913, in Craig, Missouri. She confessed her faith in the Christian Church of Craig at the age of 12. Rachel attended Craig High School, graduating in 1931.

On August 12, 1933, Rachel was united in marriage to Lester B. (Nephy) Smith by Rev. Snyder, at the Rock Port Methodist parsonage in Rock Port, Missouri. Rachel was employed for seven years as a telephone operator in Craig, a job she started while still in high school and continued working at until married. In February of 1934, they made their home on a farm in Fairfax, Missouri. In 1936, Nephy began employment with Burlington Trailways, which required them to move several times, making their home in Lincoln, Red Cloud and Omaha, Nebraska. In December of 1943, Nephy entered the United States Navy Air Corp. While Nephy was in the service, Rachel worked at the Glenn L. Martin bomber plant in Fort Crook, Nebraska, and at JCPenney’s. In 1945, Rachel moved to California to be closer to Nephy. After his discharge, they moved back to Omaha and Rachel was employed as a cashier at the Music Box. In 1953, they moved to Rock Port before purchasing a farm near Fairfax, where they lived for 29 years. In 1988, they moved to Rock Port, where Rachel lived until March of 2014. Nephy passed away July 15, 1998. Rachel passed away Thursday, September 4, 2014, at Tiffany Heights Nursing Home, Mound City, Missouri, at the age of 101.

Besides her parents and husband, Rachel was preceded in death by sisters, Beverly Ann Wright and Charlotte M. Taylor. Survivors include two nephews, Stephen W. Taylor and his wife, Sally, Springfield, Missouri, and Stewart Taylor and his wife, Krista, Fredericksburg, Virginia; four nieces, Nora C. Bayless, St. Joseph, Missouri, Roanne Solhiem, Maryville, Missouri, Phyllis Cole, Union Star, Missouri, and Karol J. Godsey, Omaha, Nebraska; and several grand nieces and nephews and cousins.

Graveside Memorial Service and Inurnment: 2:00 P.M., Saturday, October 18, 2014, I.O.O.F Cemetery, Craig, Missouri.
There is no visitation.
Memorials: I.O.O.F Cemetery, Atchison County Memorial Building Foundation or Rock Port Nutrition Center.
Online obituaries and condolences at www.minterfuneralchapels.com
Services: Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port.