Shirley (Underwood) Smith, 88, of Hays, Kansas, passed away on May 14, 2025, at HaysMed, Hays, Kansas. She was born on October 11, 1936, in Bird City, Cheyenne County, Kansas, the daughter of Irvin and Dorothy (McTaggart) Underwood. A lifelong Kansan and beloved educator, Shirley will be remembered for her warm smile, dedicated work ethic, sense of humor and caring heart.
Shirley grew up in Bird City, where she graduated from Bird City Rural High School in 1955. After high school, she pursued her passion for teaching at Fort Hays State University, where she earned her teaching degree and later completed a master’s degree. Education was very important to Shirley, and she carried a love of learning throughout her life.
After completing her education, Shirley embarked on a 34-year teaching career in the Hays, Kansas, school system. Throughout her tenure, she inspired countless students with her enthusiasm for learning and her nurturing guidance. Colleagues remember her as a dedicated educator who touched many lives and was highly respected in the community.
On June 7, 1959, Shirley married her sweetheart, Ralph J. Smith, Jr., in Bird City, Kansas. They shared 40 happy years together, cherishing family gatherings, community events, and quiet moments at home, until Ralph’s passing on May 4, 1999. Shirley treasured her family and took great pride in the accomplishments of her nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph; her parents, Irvin and Dorothy Underwood; and her brothers, Wallace and Warren Underwood.
Survived by nieces and nephews: Tammy (Underwood) Zimbelman of Emporia, Kansas; Brad (Susan) Underwood of Champaign, Illinois; Kim (Roseanna) Underwood of Bird City, Kansas; Shari (Underwood) Potts of Pensacola, Florida; and TJ (Darla) Underwood of Florida. Sister-in-law: Jan Underwood of McPherson, Kansas. Great nieces and nephews: Kale (Robbie Reed) Zimbelman of Wichita, Kansas; Lee (Cami) Zimbelman of Emporia, Kansas; Tyler Underwood of Champaign, Illinois; Katie Underwood of Jacksonville Beach, Florida; Ashley Underwood of Chicago, Illinois; and Julian Sams of Pensacola, Florida. Great-great nieces and nephews: Derek, Julia, and Andrew Zimbelman of Emporia, Kansas She is also survived by her nephew, Jerry (Pat) McCaslin, son of her brother Wallace Underwood, and his family Jill (Jeff) Samuelson and Marc McCaslin; grandchildren, Colton Samuelson and Abbie Samuelson, (children of Jill), and Isabella McCaslin and Isaac McCaslin (children of Marc); and great-granddaughter, Isla Samuelson (daughter of Colton), all of Liberty, Missouri. Special friend: Lois Lutz of Hays, Kansas. A host of extended family and friends.
In accordance with her final wishes, Shirley’s body was cremated. Memorial services will be at 11:00 a.m., Friday, July 11, 2025 at Keithley Funeral Homes and Crematory - Brock’s Chapel 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601, followed by inurnment in the Hays Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Fort Hays State University Athletic Scholarship Fund in Shirley’s memory.
Shirley Jean (Underwood) Smith will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Her legacy of dedication to education, love of family, and warm kindness will live on in the hearts of her family, friends, and former students.