Janet C. Smith
April 2, 1939 ~ September 17, 2024
Janet Clark Smith, 85, passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday, September 17, 2024. She will be remembered by her family and many friends as a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.
The memorial service will be held on Friday, October 11, 2024, at 1 P.M. (CDT) at East Heights United Methodist Church, 4407 E Douglas Avenue, Wichita, Kansas 67218. The family will have a private interment at Wichita Park Cemetery following the memorial service.
Janet was born on April 2, 1939, in Wichita, Kansas, to John (“Jack”) Joseph Clark and Ramona Meeker Clark. Janet and her parents became founding members of East Heights United Methodist Church in 1946. She graduated from East High School and went on to earn a degree in Education from the University of Kansas, where she was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. After graduation she married her high school sweetheart, Robert (“Bob”) Louis Smith, on June 16, 1961. Their first home was in Topeka, Kansas, where Janet worked as a seventh grade English teacher while Bob attended Washburn Law School.
After Bob graduated from law school in 1964, the couple moved to Casper, Wyoming, and Houston, Texas, before settling down in Wichita, Kansas. Janet later returned to school and pursued an accounting degree from Wichita State University. She subsequently worked at a public accounting firm and then as an oil and gas accountant. Janet was an active contributor to her community, including as President of PEO (EI Chapter), the Petroleum Accountants Society of Kansas, local PTA, and the Ladies Board of Crestview Country Club. She also served on the Board of Directors/Trustees for American Heart Association, East Heights UMC, and the Junior League.
Janet lived life with a loving, joyful and generous spirit. Her legacy is one of faith, family, friendship, lifelong learning, and philanthropy. In addition to her family and work commitments, Janet filled her days with time on the golf course, bridge, investment group, travel, P.E.O., and community service. She loved to entertain and cherished her friendships. Her smile and laughter are unforgettable.
Her sons recall that they never heard her say a negative or derogatory thing about any person and, when faced with a difficult situation, she learned from her father and older brother to always face it with energy and optimism. Janet was an inspiration to them both.
Janet fought the progression of Parkinson’s Disease for more than 20 years. She did her best to keep an active schedule for as long as possible. Janet faced the adversity of Parkinson’s with grace and courage, always with a smile on her face and gratitude. The family is grateful to her caregivers, including Paula, Michelle and Kimberly and the support of extended family, for their commitment to Janet’s care and happiness.
Janet is preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Ramona Clark; husband, Bob Smith; older brother, Jerry H. Clark; and brother, John J. Clark, who passed during infancy. She is survived by her sons, Robert Louis Smith, Jr. (Joelle) of Mission Hills, Kansas, and Stephen John Smith (Gretchen) of Houston, Texas; grandchildren, Hannah Michelle Bihuniak (Sam), Emily Anne Smith, Haille Fritz, Lauren Fritz, Zach Fritz, Tenley Fritz, William Avery Smith, and John Xavier Smith; brother-in-law, Kirk Smith (Mary) of Eugene, Oregon; sister-in-law, Vicki Schmidlapp (Don) of Winona, Minnesota; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews in Texas, Arizona, and Minnesota.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to East Heights United Methodist Church in memory of Janet. East Heights address: 4407 E. Douglas, Wichita, Kansas 67218
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My sincere sympathy for the family of Janet. My two boys ( Kevin & David Walker) swam with Rob at Wichita Swim Club. Those were fun years and Janet & Bob were among my favorites. Remembering them and their boys fondly. Love to you all. Ann Parker