Lynette A Smith

Welcoming. Beautiful Smile. Intelligent. Hospitable. Witty. Hard Working. Devout. Good Cook. Generous. Meticulous. Learner. Loving. Determined. Doer. Selfless. Evangelist. Caring. Teacher. Unshaken. These are some of the words that come to the minds of Lynette’s family when they think of her. They give a glimpse into the woman we were blessed to know as wife, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, friend. Alta Lynette Smith was born to Verle & Beulah Hall on February 13, 1947 at Grace Hospital in Hutchinson, KS. She was the second-born of five sisters – Elaine, Lynette, Sheryl, Phyllis, and Joyce. As a youth, she moved with her family around central Kansas as her father, a veteran and former POW, worked as a farmhand. The family settled in Hutchinson in Lynette’s teens and were members of 16th Street Baptist Church. Lynette was led to a personal relationship with Jesus with the help of her future mother-in-law, Alice Smith. In 1964, Lynette married Stephen Dallas Smith. The first ten years of their married life were full with attending Baptist Bible College in Springfield, MO; the arrivals of Jeff (1965) and Lynn (1967); and several years of pastoring in Yates Center and Attica. In 1974, they moved back to Hutchinson, welcomed Jonathan to the family, became a part of the Hutchinson Gospel Chapel, and started a roofing business together. Steve worked at the Reformatory for several years before the family moved to Kansas Bible Camp from 1985-1989. While at KBC, Lynette served as head cook and helped run the canteen, while Steve served as the maintenance man. In 1987, they did their first craft show, which led to a 12 year craft business in which Lynette was the chief designer, planner, and painter. Steve & Lynette moved to Wilmington, NC in 2000, where they spent several years investing in grandkids, being involved in Awana at Wilmington Bible Chapel, and enjoying living near the beach. It was during this time that they became familiar with the ministry of Answers in Genesis, and developed a passion for sharing the truth of Genesis 1-11. In 2006, Steve & Lynette moved to the St Louis, MO area. They enjoyed spending time with grandkids, birdwatching, and fellowshipping at Believers Bible Chapel in Union, MO. Lynette became involved in helping with the Child Evangelism Fellowship ministry in several ways, including heading up two after-school Good News Clubs. 2011 brought Steve & Lynette back to Hutchinson. Lynette devoted much time to caring for her mom and for her sister Elaine in their declining health, often spending the entire morning with one and the afternoon with the other. She also played a pivotal role in caring for her grandchildren. Many hobbies and pursuits filled Lynette’s life. Besides being a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, she excelled in many crafts, among them painting, calligraphy, toll painting, crochet, and sewing. She collected different things over her lifetime – seashells, owls, teapots/tea cups, to name a few. She enjoyed traveling, camping, hunting deals at rummages and auctions, gardening (both vegetables and flowers), taking walks (especially in nature), learning, and music. The Creation Museum was one of her favorite destinations. Lynette’s love of books and reading was legendary; she read aloud as well as to herself, and instilled a love of reading and books in many others. Lynette was diagnosed with cancer in December of 2014, and her courage, resilience, and trust in the Lord through her cancer journey have been a testimony to all whose lives she has touched. Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. Psalms 34:8-10

Lynette A Smith

February 13, 1947 - August 15, 2017