NORINE (SMITH) LOFTIS

Norine (Smith) Loftis of Waynesville, Mo. passed away on August 19 ^th , 2020 at her home in Waynesville, Mo. She was 95 years young at the time of her death. Norine was born on Feb. 22, 1925 in Ozark County, Missouri, to Sigel Austin Smith and Carrie Evaline Jane Newton.  She was married to James Archie Loftis in Mountain Home, Arkansas on February 4 ^th , 1947.  After almost 65 years of marriage James Archie passed away on January 12 ^th , 2012.

Norine is survived by 5 of her 6 children;  Carl Loftis ( Christine) of Van Zant, Mo., Barbara Smith (David) of Wichita, Ks., Twyla Cordry of Waynesville, Mo., James Ronnie Loftis (Alskie) of West Palm Beach, Fl. and Dennis Loftis (Barbara) of Blue Springs, Mo.; sixteen grandchildren Jack Selby, Amber Baughman, Shawn Loftis, John Smith, Kurt Smith, Dusty Smith, Darren Smith, Carrie(Smith) Sameck, Stephanie (Loftis) Van Olst, Stacy Loftis, James Austin Loftis, Alana Loftis, Soleil Loftis, Gary Loftis, Chad Jackley and Brandon Jackley; 30 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Norine was the eldest of 14 children born to Sigel & Carrie Smith:  Sister Blanch Sukow and husband Fent both deceased;  brother Joe Smith and wife Lola both deceased; sister Bonnie Luna and husband Delbert (deceased); brother Obie Smith (deceased) and wife June; brother Vilas Smith (deceased) and wife Wanda; sister Floy Tucker (deceased) and husband John; brother Floyd Smith and wife Shirley; bother Franklin Smith and wife Dorothea; sister Nancy Kelley and husband Troy (deceased); sister Roselle Howard and James (deceased); brother David Smith (deceased) and wife Wanda Lee; sister Sharon Berniece Ziegler and husband James (deceased); brother Mike Smith and wife Juanita.

After retiring from Montgomery Ward in Kansas City, Norine moved  back home to the Gainesville area where she enjoyed fishing with Archie and playing cards (Canasta and Pitch) with family and friends, especially when she could cheat without getting caught.  While living in the Kansas City area she became a big fan of the Kansas City Royals; after moving back home to Southern Missouri she found out that she was in Cardinal Country and eventually became a big Cardinals fan. In 2012 Norine moved to the Waynesville, Mo. area where she was able to meet a new group of friends and participate in many community events.  She enjoyed going to Cardinal baseball games in Springfield.  A rocking-chair was provided for her at JUST BECAUSE gift shop, where she could rest and greet customers on the days she was able to get out-and-about in the community.  Bunco became her favorite game where she felt like she was every ones mom or grandma and she loved blowing on the dice for good luck before the throw.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 25, 2020 in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home chapel, Gainesville, MO with Halbert Smith officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday afternoon from 1:00 p.m. to service time. Burial will be in the Smith Chapel Cemetery. Arrangements are being conducted by Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Gainesville, MO.