"Smitty" Lee RN

Zoe F. "Smitty" Lee passed away at her home on Wednesday morning, July 20, 2011, after a courageous battle with cancer.  She was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 60 years, Richard J. Lee, and her younger siblings, Olivia Thudium, Bill Smith and his wife Eleanor.       She will forever be remembered by a large, loving family as well as a host of close friends, former patients, students and co-workers, as well as wonderful neighbors and caregivers.       Survivors include her brother Otto "Bud" &  Eva Smith; her sister, Lucille & Don Riepe; brother-in-law Gene Thudium; sister-in-law June & Ray Rowland; sister-in-law Ruth Anne Erwin; daughter Kerry & John Divine of Joplin; son Richard H. & Susan Lee of Springfield, MO; daughter Kenda & Dr. Gary Corcoran, Plymouth, NH; and daughter Kristy & Don Greer of Independence, MO; as well as her grandchildren, Rich C. & Grace Lee and their children, Joshua, Isaac, Charis, Micah & Zachry, Triesa (Lee) & Bradon Massey; Seth Divine; Cara (Lee) & Aaron Rose and their son, Liam; Kellee Divine; Kendra Greer, Kris Greer; Sean Corcoran; Ryan & Samantha Corcoran; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.      Smitty was born May 22, 1927, in Brookfield, MO to Bert & Roe (Gamble) Smith. She graduated Brookfield High School in May 1945 and completed three years of nurses training through the US Cadet Nurse Corp.  After marrying Richard and graduating from Kansas City Nursing School as a  Registered Nurse in 1948 she moved to Barton County where she worked at Barton County Memorial Hospital for 23 years.  She then taught health occupations at the Lamar Vo-Tech from 1972 until 1986.       Always active in her community, Smitty served as Meals-on-Wheels Coordinator and Red Cross Bloodmobile Coordinator, and was a board member of Barton County Memorial Hospital where she was inducted into the Hall Of Fame.  Her family enjoyed years of fun with their Christmas Tree Farm, but her passion was nursing. She was a faithful member of First Baptist Church.      Visitation will be held in the sanctuary of the First Baptist Church of Lamar at 1301  E. 6th Street on Monday, July 25, 2011 at 12:30 pm followed by the funeral service at 2:00 pm.  The graveside farewell will be at Lake Cemetery, Lamar.      Contributions are suggested to TATS, Barton County Senior Center, or the Historical Society in care of Daniel Funeral Home, 1201 Broadway, Lamar, MO  64759.