Lula Belle Smith, age 97, who lived 57 years in Independence, MO, passed away June 15, 2023 at Willshire Care Center in Lee’s Summit, MO under Hospice Care through One Community Care. Graveside service will be at a later date at the Belton Cemetery – 710 S Scott Ave, Belton, MO.
Lula Belle Smith (Chester) was born in Bertha, Arkansas and grew up in Plainview, Arkansas. She helped her Mother, Dad and 6 siblings on a 500 acre cotton farm. Her best memory was the date she graduated high school and left the farm life for Kansas City, MO with her brother O.D. and found work at the bomber plant during WWII. After the end of the war, she found a job at Sears Roebuck in the returns department. She retired from Sears in 1984. She loved being out in her yard, cutting the grass, tending to her flowers, and rearranging decorations in her yard.
Lula was a widow with one son, James Michael Ham (Linda) and daughter Janet Luan Burnell (Charles), 5 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren and 5 step-children.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mcgilleygeorgebelton.com for the Smith family.
