Our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother Sarah Rose (Smith) Smith was born to George and Ella (Koehn) Smith on September 7, 1927 in Montezuma, KS. She went home to be with her Lord, passing peacefully in her sleep, on January 31, 2023 at her home in Garden City, KS.

She grew up in the Montezuma and Cimarron communities. She helped her father in his broom shop, worked as a waitress in the café, and briefly lived in California working as a nanny. At the age of twenty-one she gave her heart to the Lord and was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite on April 4, 1948 by Minister Albert Unruh.

She was united in marriage to Clarence C. Smith on October 19, 1953 in Garden City, KS. To this union were born four sons and four daughters. She suffered the heartache of losing her firstborn son at the young age of twenty-one months. She enjoyed being a mother, cooking and baking for her family and the neighbor children that were often in and out of our home. Giving cherry cinnamon rolls to all the neighbors at Christmas time was a treasured tradition. Mom loved tending flowers, with roses and daisies among her favorites.

After a time of being distant from God, Mom rededicated her life. She was brought back into church fellowship in 1969, remaining faithful to her vows until the end. Mom loved her God and was not afraid to share Him with anyone she came in contact with. Although Daddy didn't give his heart to the Lord until later in life, Mom was faithful in leading the family in devotions and prayer, bringing her children to the Lord. She rejoiced as various ones of the children gave their hearts to the Lord. She was a prayer warrior, setting a faithful example for her family, often staying up late at night until she knew her children were all safely home. She loved to sing and we remember her singing along with Dad. Mom's joy knew no bounds when Dad gave his heart to the Lord when he was almost sixty-three years old and again when her daughter Karla found the Lord at sixty years of age.

Mom suffered a stroke in 2001, creating many new challenges for her. Although her mind was clear, she found it difficult to express herself. She never let her health problems get her down and prayer was still her constant companion. Although she found it difficult to talk, she still loved to sing. It was Mom's desire to remain at home until her end. With the loving care she received from her daughter Karla and other family members, her wish was granted.

She lost the love of her life on August 4, 2010 when Dad passed away unexpectedly, leaving her very lonely for twelve years. In recent times she often expressed her desire to go home and be with the Lord and her loved ones who have gone before.

Left to mourn her passing are her children: David Smith and Glenda, Jerald Smith and Tamara, Carolyn Smith, and Karla Smith, all of Garden City, KS; Carl Smith of Palm Coast, FL; Rose and Doug Gassett of Amarillo, TX; and Shirley and Danny Blankenship of Sublette, KS; ten grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren, eight great-great-grandchildren, and one brother: Johnny C. Smith of Ulysses, KS.

Preceding her in death were her husband, her parents, her parents-in-law, one son: Charles, one granddaughter, one grandson, two infant great-grandchildren, six sisters, one brother, six brothers-in-law, and two sisters-in-law.