Frances Smothers

She is preceded in death by her husband Charles Leo Smothers, her parents, John Mark and Lillie Weatherford Purdom, three brothers Lucien, Edgar and Howard Purdom; four sisters Ruth Chenault, Lee Ewing, Iona Gribbins, and Vivian Irwin.

She is survived by a niece, Rose Ann Larson and nephews Bill W. Purdom and Mark W. Irwin as well as other nieces and nephews including great through great, great, great nieces and nephews and many cousins.

Born in Marion County, Kentucky on September 25, 1917, she spent her early years on a farm near the town of Bradfordsville. After receiving an educational degree from Campbellsville College in Kentucky, she began a 38-year teaching career starting in the 1930’s in a two room school in the Marion County community of Rush Branch. Afterwards, she moved on to teach the sixth and seventh grades at Bradsfordsville School for eight years. After earning an additional degree at Eastern University at Richmond, Kentucky, she moved to Louisville in the mid 1940’s and taught for five years at the old John Marshall Elementary School. During this period she met her husband to be, Charles L. Smothers (Leo) who upon returning from the Pacific Theater after WW2 was stationed at Fort Knox. They married in 1947 and were happily married for nearly 54 years until Leo’s death in 2001. Ms. Smothers continued her educational career for three years at the Fort Knox Elementary School System. She then started teaching in the Jefferson County School System beginning at the old Kosmosdale Elementary School. Ms. Smothers spent the next twenty years teaching primarily at Medora Elementary School in Valley Station. During this period, she continued her own education receiving her Masters of Education Degree from the University of Louisville in the early sixties. Ms. Smothers retired in 1974 and became involved with numerous civic and church groups, including volunteer work at the former Methodist Hospital of Louisville, and active participation with the Valley Station Women’s Club, Bethany United Methodist Church, and the Wesleyan Service Guild. Ms. Smothers and her husband, Leo generously supported Lindsay Wilson College for over thirty-five years. In their later years, Frances and Leo travelled extensively across the United States, visiting all fifty states.They also travelled throughout Canada, Europe and particularly had fond memories of their trip to the Holy Lands. Beyond cherishing the memories of her travels, she also enjoyed meeting new people and had fond memories of social gatherings of family and friends. She also took delight in watching the University of Kentucky televised basketball games.Ms. Smothers will be missed by family, friends, students and all who were blessed to have known her.

The family wishes to thank all the special Caregivers and Hosparus Employees who took care of Ms.Smothers in her final months. Many of them became friends and we wish them best as they take care of other individuals in need. Flowers are welcomed as they will be sent to help brightened nursing homes after the funeral services. However, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hosparus Health of Louisville.

Her Funeral service will be held on Friday at 12noon at the Bethany United Methodist Church, 6100 Moorman Road with Burial following in Bethany Memorial Cemetery.

Visitation will be on Thursday from 4-8pm at the Advantage Funeral Home - Hardy Chapel, and at the church on Friday after 10am until time of service at the church.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.AdvantageHardyChapel.com for the Smothers family.