Paula Kaye Reed Smith, daughter of the late James Paul Reed and Loyce Lucillia Patterson Reed, was born on June 28, 1944, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and departed this life on August 23, 2022, at Cypress Point Skilled Nursing in Dexter, Missouri, at the age of 78 years.
Mrs. Smith was a former office manager for Dexter Memorial Hospital Home Health. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Dexter, the FBC Choir and the Bob Coffey Sunday School Class. She was a volunteer for Preferred Hospice, and a Stoddard County Election Poll worker. Paula loved reading, going to the beach and Mustang convertibles. She loved her family and considered her grandchildren and great-grandchildren her greatest gift in life. Throughout her life, Paula remained close to a group of her girlfriends from high school, before COVID they enjoyed traveling and spending time together, and during and after COVID they enjoyed visiting through ZOOM.
On April 3, 1970, in Dexter, Missouri, she was united in marriage to Jim F. Smith. Mr. Smith survives of their home in Dexter.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by five children, Shannon Putnam and husband Denny of Dexter, Missouri, Sheri Smith and husband Chris Marien of Talisheek, Louisiana, Marrianne Bruce and husband Keith of Dexter, Missouri, Lori Powell and husband Darrin of Dallas, Texas, and Jimmy Paul Smith of Belleville, Illinois; by her sister, Jennifer Miller of Nixa, Missouri; by twelve grandchildren, Dalton Putnam and wife Ryleigh, Rachel Jones and husband Kyle, Zach Robinson, Kyle Robinson, Hunter Bruce and fiancé Angeline Bottera, Holden Reed Bruce and wife, Ashlyn, Audrey Powell, Seth Powell, Adrian Powell, Owen Smith, Wyatt Smith, and Nora Smith; and by six great-grandchildren, Henry, Mason, Hudson Reed, Stella, Elizabeth and Ariella.
Memorials may be made to the Keller Public Library, 402 West Grant St., Dexter, MO 63841 or, First Baptist Church Library, 11 West Castor St., Dexter, MO 63841 or, The ALS Association St. Louis Regional Chapter, 1950 Craig Road, Suite 200, St. Louis, MO 63146
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Saturday, August 27, 2022, from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m.
Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday, August 27, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. with Eric Krapf and Rev. Mitch Grainger officiating. Interment will follow in the Dexter Cemetery.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
