Venita “Kay” Smith, 80, of Richmond, died Wednesday, June 22, 2022, at Oak Ridge Assisted Living Facility in Richmond. 

Kay was born on September 13, 1941, in Lexington, the daughter of Raymond “Shine” Hearrold and Hazel Hearrold of Hardin.  She was united in marriage to Edgar “Leon” Smith of Richmond on March 14, 1959; he preceded her in death on September 9, 2016. 

Survivors include: son, Stephen Ray (Becky) Smith of Normangee, TX; daughter, Tammy Williams of Richmond (Mike); nine grandchildren: Sherri Anderson, Travis (Marie) Smith, Abby Smith (Todd), Samantha (Michael) Hulslander, Bo Williams, Annie Bowman (Shannon) Hobbs, Avory Beggs (John), Amber (Jason) Salfen, and Atalie (Dan) Blackwell; 17 great-grandchildren: Tatum Bowman (Cody), Peyton Bowman, Karsyn Bowman, Hollis Hobbs, Taylor Smith, MacKenzie Smith, Gage Smith, Teegan Shannon, Landon Hulslander, Natalie Hulslander, Lily Rae Hulslander, Cody Blackwell, Haizley Briant, Sloane Beggs, Emersyn Beggs, Rhett Bleazard, Charlotte Salfen, Taylor Hart, and Sumer Smith (Jacob); great-great-grandchild, Kaine Norris and sisters, Judy Joesting of Tarkio and Linda Jones of Dover. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, granddaughter, Roni Ray Smith, and brother, Jerry Huffman, and brothers-in-law, Nels Joesting and Robert Smith.  

This is a day to celebrate Kay’s life, but we couldn’t celebrate Kay without also celebrating Leon. Leon and Kay were adventurous people and enjoyed life to the fullest. Their adventure started when they met in the summer of 1958. Kay was a carhop at A&W in Richmond, while her sister Judie was a cook. Leon was told by a friend that there was a pretty girl working as a carhop. He had to go see this pretty girl. While not having a car of his own at that time, he borrowed his friend’s car and went to meet the love of his life and future wife. They were only 16 and 17 years old. Kay would tell many times through her life that she loved Leon from the first moment she saw him. Kay and Leon were married March of 1959, and had their son that same year, and a daughter less than two years later.  

Leon and Kay worked hard but also played hard. The family spent many summers camping nearly every weekend at the Lake of the Ozarks, where Leon taught the family how to water ski and then later, they skied the mountains of Colorado. Leon and Kay retired while still in their 50’s, so they would have many years for more adventures. They were best friends, and you would rarely see one without the other. They traveled as snowbirds to Florida and Texas for many years before Leon was diagnosed with cancer. Leon has been gone for nearly six years and Kay has been lost without him. Today we are so happy to say they are reunited once again, for eternity. They had a unique love for each other and loved their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and were so proud of them all. Leon has been truly missed for nearly six years and Kay will be truly missed also, but knowing they are together again brings so much joy and peace to the family.  

This little church is where Kay grew up going to church and Sunday school. She spoke many times of Rev. Armstrong who was here to preach for many years and who also joined Kay and Leon together as husband and wife in this same church over 60 years ago.  

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Humane Society of Ray County or to the donor’s choice.  They can be left at or mailed to Thurman Funeral Home, 507 East Main Street-P.O. Box 190, Richmond, MO 64085. 

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Wednesday, June 29, 2022, at the Hardin Christian Church.  Burial will be in the Hardin Cemetery.  Please remember to share your memories of Kay with the family by visiting www.thurmanfuneralhome.com.