Patricia A. Smith Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Patricia Ann Smith of Higginsville, passed away on Sept. 26, 2014, at the age of 72 with the family by her side. Her passing was due to complications from an aneurism. Pat was born in Independence, on Jan. 19, 1942, to Scott Elias Cook and Zelma Lee (McKendry) Cook and two brothers, Thomas and later Jay Cook. Pat began high school at Fort Osage H.S. and later graduated from Lee's Summit H.S. After high school she went on to attend college at Central Missouri State University pursuing a degree in biology. While at CMSU she met and married Donald Smith, her husband of 51 years. Pat and Don welcomed their first child Christopher Smith while living in Warrensburg, Mo. Don's job required the young family to move often and took them to Chicago, St. Louis, Salina, Kan., Moultrie, Ga., and eventually to Lee's Summit where daughter Shay (Smith) Hawkins was born. In 1972, the family moved to Higginsville when Don and Pat purchased the Higginsville Dairy. Together Don and Pat managed the family business. Pat not only took care of the bookkeeping aspects of the dairy, but when needed she would bag ice or drive an ice cream truck as well. In 1979, while working full time and raising a family, Pat returned to CMSU and received her degree in accounting. Then, in 1984 she accomplished her goal and became a certified public accountant. Eventually she opened and built up Patricia A. Smith CPA firm specializing in the needs of veterinarians and other small businesses. Pat is survived by her husband, Donald W. Smith, children, Christopher (Caperton Morton) Smith of Kansas City, and Shay (Shannon) Hawkins of Eureka, Mo. and grandchildren Zachary Hawkins, Samantha Hawkins, Berit Anderson, Elijah Scott and brother Jay (Julie) Cook. Visitation was held at Hoefer Funeral Home in Higginsville, on Sept. 30, from 6:30-8 p.m. Memorial service will be held at Grace United Methodist Church, in Higginsville, on Oct. 1. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery near Higginsville. The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Grace United Methodist Church.

Patricia A. Smith

January 19, 1942 - September 26, 2014