Gary Sue Smith, born Tuesday June 30, 1936 in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, died Saturday, July 24, 2009, in Independence, Mo. She was 73.

She married Afton Etcyl Smith in Stafford, Kansas on December 20, 1954. They shared 54 1/2 years of life and love together.

They shared a wonderful family of four children; Etcyl Ray Smith of Silvia, KS; Randy Wayne Smith and wife Elizabeth of Arlington KS; Ania Elaine Smith of Independence, MO; and Nina Jean Newman and husband Randy of Mack's Creek, MO.

She had eight grandsons; David, Shane, Brian, Gibb, Aaron, Kyle, Kory, Austin, and three granddaughters; Missy, Brandi, and Kendra. She had 13 wonderful great grandchildren. Her family was the most important thing in her life.

She is survived by her husband and four children, three brothers, Coil Reed of Northport, AL.; Charles Thomas Rodgers of Nothport, AL.; Howard Rodgers of Berry, AL. and one sister Jeanette Collins of Northport, AL.

She was preceeded in death by her parents Ester Lee and Ola Mae, four brothers, Victor, Sam, Harold, and Jimmy, daughter-in-law Susan, grandson Kyle, and great grandson, Pee Wee.

She lived in Alabama and Kansas but come to call Missouri home. She lived in Sugar Cree, MO. from 1965 to 1989. She owned Sue's Coffee Shop for 16 years and shared home cooking with family and friends. After a short time away, she returned to live with her husband in Louisbury, MO. where she enjoyed friends and neighbors.

She loved games of all kinds but she was a card playing fool. She won a lot, including her last game of Pinochle. She taught us all how to have fun.

Visitation for Gary Sue will be July 28, 2009, 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Services will be July 29, 2009 11 a.m. at Clinkingbeard Chapel, Gainesville, MO. Burial will take place at Smith Chapel Cemetery.

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