Obituary
Donna L “Jeani” Smith, 70, of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, passed away Saturday, March 23, 2024, at her home in Warsaw, Missouri. A funeral will be held Thursday, April 4, 2024, at the Longview Baptist Church at 1300 Longview Rd, Lee’s Summit, Missouri, 64081. The visitation will begin at 10:00am, and the service will start at 11:00am. The burial will take place at Floral Hills East after the service. Any memorial contributions can be made to the Longview Baptist Church.
Jeani Smith was born January 2, 1954, at Trinity Lutheran Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. She was united in marriage to Jerry Smith on March 24, 1972, and worked as a Human Resource specialist at the IRS for 34 years before finally retiring to help care for her dad. At age 15, Jeani joined the Longview Baptist Church where she was a lifelong member, serving as the Sunday school director and teacher in Children’s Church, served on the finance committee, and multiple others. If there was a meal to be prepared, she was there front and center. Jeani loved living life, from junking with her good friend Bonnie, every Wednesday, rain, or shine, to mowing her lake place with her John Deer tractor. Jeani loved crafting everything from jewelry to scarecrows. She loved spending time with her grandkids. Jeani never wasted an opportunity to enjoy her three boys and their families, always living life to the fullest.
Jeani was preceded in death by her husband Jerry Smith, sister Lesli Smith, and dad Ray Knight. She is survived by her three sons Jason, Jerid, Jonathan and wife Jill, Mother Donna Knight, two sisters (Lucy and Ionela), one niece (Shannon), six grandchildren (Lana, Michael, wife Alaina, Garrett, Briella, Ella and Addison), Uncle Johnny, sister in law and brother in law Mary and Earl Weddle, lots of sweet cousins, many other relatives and friends, and 4 grand dogs (Willow, Queso, Sophie, and Jazz).
Arrangements by Langsford Funeral Home, 115 SW 3rd Street, Lee’s Summit, MO 64063
Condolences
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Lees Summit, MO 64081
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Lees Summit, MO 64081
We are so so sorry for your loss. Donna was such a special friend. She was always so giving and caring. Her family meant everything to her and she was so proud of all of you. She will be greatly missed.
Sending my prayers to the family. I really enjoyed working with Donna, she was always willing to help anyone and I benefitted from that help often.
I knew Jeani in High School and then had the privilege to work with her for over 20 years. She was a kind and wonderful woman. She will be missed by many. My sympathy and prayers to her family.
Donna was a kind, patient person that gave me lots of valuable guidance early in my management career.
May her memory be blessing.
I am saddened by the news of Donna’s passing. She represented the very best of federal employees. She was always pleasant and willing to help anyone. My sincerest condolences to her family and those who knew and worked with her.
Donna was a lovely caring person. My best to her family.
Donna was one of the very best employees I had the honor to work with. Not only was she great at her specialty, she brought fun into the workplace. We were a better team because of her. She adored her family and spoke of you often. I’m so very sorry for your loss. She will be missed by everyone she knew.
Sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved. I got a chance to work with her, and I know she loved doing crafts and she loved her family. My condolences to the family and may God comfort your hearts.
Sorry for your loss. Prayers for the family during this difficult time. I knew Jeani when I went to church with her at White Ridge Baptist Church (that was its name at the time). She was always happy & had a laugh with whatever was going on. I pray that God will be with you during the coming days.
Donna was a good friend when I worked at IRS. Condolences to her family.0
Donna was a cheerful and kind coworker. She was a very creative person. God’s peace to all who love her.
So sorry. Our friendship with Donna goes back decades. Jeani was just a ray of sunshine and we pray for comfort for the family. We will hug you today at the service Donna.
My aunt Jeani, I wish I knew where to start. She was always fun as far back as I can remember. She made a haunted house at the church one Halloween that was epic. She would always get craft stuff for me and sisters to do when we were kids. We would ride around in her car singing oldies at the top of our lungs. She was always the most level headed, open minded, non judgemental person I knew and I would always say if I had to introduce anyone to a member of my family it would be aunt Jeani cuz she was the most normal. Lol. She was always really calm when there was an emergency, never frantic or at a loss for what to do. She was dependable beyond measure, and caring and generous. She was also very book smart, anytime I needed help writing anything from a resumé to an essay, she would always help me word it perfectly. She always did my taxes for me. She was the best cook and she would make me anything I requested from her for my birthday which was usually dirt cake. She made the best potato soup, banana pudding, ruebens, green rice and custard pie just to name very very few. We used to make the recipes on the back of boxes or ones we would find that were super old or really complex. We once roasted seasoning for an indian recipe and made it from scratch, an actual seasoning from scratch. I could literally go on and on and never run out of good things to say about her. She was my mom’s big sister, and she always looked up to her so much. They had a special bond you could tell that seemed closer than most sisters. Aunt Jeani was just a special special person that brought joy to everyone she knew and I’m grateful she was my aunt and for all the memories we shared. Until we meet again aunt Jeani…