Violet "Vi" L. Smith, 96, died on Monday, March 1, 2021, at St Catherine
Hospital in Garden City. She was born on October 13, 1924, on the family
farm in Ness County, Kansas, the daughter of George Custer & Rosa
E. (Beye) Holmes. She married George Edward Smith, the love of her
life, on August 7, 1943, at Garden City. He died on January 23, 2005.
Violet graduated from Bazine High School, played the snare drum for the
High School Band and she never missed a beat! She then moved to Garden
City. She worked at the Southwestern Bell Telephone Company. She and
her husband were longtime owners and operators of Smith Sand Company in
Garden City. She was a member of the Community Congregational Church
for 50+ years and hosted the church bible study group for many years.
She made their home a second home to many of their children’s friends,
and people staying in town with family in the hospital. She was a
caregiver, their home was always open to family and friends with food,
conversation and support. She loved her family and singing and
supporting her children’s music endeavors. She sang with the Sweet
Adeline’s. Vi’s favorite saying was “I’ll see you in my dreams!”
She is survived by her 3 Sons- Ronald (Pat) Smith and Dennis (Janet)
Smith both of Garden City and Steve (Sandy) Smith of Overland Park,
Kansas, Daughter- Cindy Smith (Tom) Dial of Garden City, Sister- Georgia
McDonald of Sarasota, Florida, 7 Grandchildren, 14 Great-Grandchildren
and 2 Great-Great Grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her Parents, Husband, Daughter- Loretta
Smith, and 5 Brothers- Melvin Holmes, Perry Holmes, Johnny Holmes,
Lloyd Holmes and Carl Holmes, 4 Sisters- Opal Cannon, Mary Richardson,
Irene Cunningham and Edna Talbott and 2 Grandchildren- Andrea Smith and
Cameron Smith.
There will be no services held at this time. A Celebration of Life will
be held at a later date. Burial will be in Valley View Cemetery in
Garden City. Memorials are suggested to Violet Smith Memorial Fund in
care of Garnand Funeral Home. Condolences may be posted at
www.garnandfuneralhomes.com