Judith Anne Smith

Judith Anne Smith, Emporia, Kansas, died September 20, 2025, at Chase County Care and Rehabilitation Center. She was 82 years old.

Judith was born on March 9, 1943, in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Alvin J. and Gertrude (DeBoer) Blough. She married Marland Smith on May 30, 1970, at First United Methodist Church in Emporia, Kansas. He died March 12, 2020.

Survivors include daughter Angela (Zeke) Cheever, Emporia, Kansas; step-son Gary (Jeanine) Smith, Lebanon, Tennessee; step-daughter Debra Kennedy, Conroe, Texas; brothers Jim Blough, Hesston, Kansas; Jay (Mary) Blough, Midwest City, Oklahoma; Joe (Lisa) Blough, Edmond, Oklahoma; sister Julia Rodgers, Emporia, Kansas; brother-in-law Richard (Frances) Smith, Eufaula, Oklahoma; sisters-in-law Verlene LeClear, Emporia, Kansas; Jolene Witcher, Bethany, Oklahoma; grandchildren Kelsey Dunn, Hartford, Kansas; Emily Cheever, Emporia, Kansas; step-grandchildren Chris (Erica) Smith, Osawatomie, Kansas; Anisha (Joe) O'Barto, Paola, Kansas; Tara (Jarratt) Asher, Louisburg, Kansas; great grandchildren Haven Dunn, Hartford, Kansas;  Summer Dunn, Harford, Kansas; and Evelyn Miller, Emporia, Kansas; step great grandchildren Kaytlin Smith, Osawatomie, Kansas; Wade Smith, Emporia, Kansas; Sydney (Braydon) O'Barto-Eller, Olathe, Kansas; Jolie O'Barto, Paola, Kansas; Jillian Asher, Louisburg, Kansas; and Landon Asher, Louisburg, Kansas; step great-great granddaughter Georgia O'Barto-Eller and many loved cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband Marland Smith, step-daughter Teresa Paige, her brothers John Blough and Jerry Blough, sisters Joyce McLear and Jane Blough, brothers-in-law Eldon Smith, Harvey Stoner, Melvin Smith, Vernon Smith, Paul Nelson, Perry Droke, Irv LeClear and Larry Witcher and sisters-in-law Lorena Stoner, Edna Smith, Mary Smith, Rita Nelson, Jerry Droke and Marva Blough.

Judith graduated from Hesston College in 1961 with an Associate's Degree in Arts. She continued her education with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education at Goshen College in 1965 and a Master's Degree in Education from Kansas State Teachers College in 1971. During those years, she taught elementary students around the Emporia area and also in Granado, a Navajo Nation chapter in Arizona. Later in life, she became a state homemaker to help disabled persons stay in their homes by running errands and completing household chores. She finally retired with her husband in 1994.

Her love of camping, gardening and cooking before and during retirement kept her busy traveling and meeting new friends. She collected cookbooks and read them like people read novels. She loved to try new recipes and share them with friends and family. Her humor, love and generosity will be missed.

Memorial contributions can be made to the First United Methodist Church, and sent in care of Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, P.O. Box 175, Emporia, Kansas, 66801.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 27, 2025, at 11:00 A.M. at the First United Methodist Church, 823 Merchant Street, Emporia, Kansas, 66801. The family will receive friends Friday, September 26, 2025, from 5:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M. at Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, 605 State Street, Emporia, Kansas, 66801. Following the service, cremation is planned, with a private family inurnment at a later date.