Janice M. Smith

Janice Melba (Baclesse) Smith, age 87 of Linn, passed away Monday, April 2, 2018, at Westphalia Hills.

Janice was born on February 6, 1931, in Crook, Missouri, a daughter to the late Alby and Mattie (Monroe) Baclesse.

Janice attended school in Linn and later received her GED.

On February 7, 1948, she was united in marriage to Perry Edward “Smitty” Smith in Linn.  He preceded her in death on October 5, 2017.

Janice was employed at Linn Manufacturing Company, Green Gables Restaurant, McGraw-Edison in Jefferson City, Missouri Department of Revenue and retired from Missouri Department of Education in 1993.

 Janice was a member of St. George Catholic Church in Linn.

Janice enjoyed cooking, singing, blue grass music, dancing, working with her flowers, going to auctions, word puzzles, and scratch off lottery tickets.  She loved her dogs, her frequent drives with Perry in the country and telling jokes to her family and friends.

Janice is survived by: four sons, Alan Smith and his wife Cathy of Koeltztown, Greg Smith and his wife Beverly of Linn, Kent Smith and his fiancé Kelli Todd of Linn, and Brad Smith and his wife Donna of East Prairie, MO; two daughters, Vicki Ponder of Iberia, and Bridget Leivian and her husband Edmond, Jr. of Linn; two brothers, Alby Baclesse, Jr., of Mexico, MO and Joy Baclesse and his wife Genrose of Mexico, MO; one sister-in-law, Doris Kirk of Fulton: 21 Grandchildren, many great and great great grandchildren along with several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and spouse, Janice was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Wayne Ponder and a great grandson, Collin Colvin.

Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 7, 2018, at St. George Catholic Church in Linn. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 3:30 p.m. with Fr. Daniel Merz officiating.  Interment will be in the Linn Public Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to St. George Capital Campaign.

Arrangements are under the direction of Morton Chapel, Linn, Missouri (897-2214)  www.mortonchapel.com