"God's finger of love touched her, and she slept . . . . ."

In the late night hours of  December 18, 2021, Our Beloved Mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great-great grandmother, aunt, a daughter, a sister, a friend, and a woman of strong faith in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Delores Smith was called to sleep in heavenly peace, and she ascended into Heaven from Earth to his everlasting life.  She was born in Wellington, Kansas, on August 14, 1926, one of five children born to her loving parents Rev. Daniel J. Johnson, and Susanne E. (Ballard) Johnson.

Delores received her formal education in the Wellington Public Schools graduating from Wellington High School.  After completion of high school, most important to Delores was that she was surrounded by a wonderful caring family.  Delores cherished her children and family in such a passionate way.  And she was exceedingly proud, and she adored her four children, Johnnie Mae Taylor, of Glendale, AZ. husband Clifford, daughter and daughter-in-law Toyanne Taylor Goodgame and Tanya Goodgame; and grandson Camrin;  Deanna Sue Griffin of Pearland, TX., husband Terence, son and daughter-in-law, Damon and Katie of O'Fallan. MO.,  and daughter Giselle of Houston, TX.; Beverly Lee Hatcher of Beaumont, TX, husband Stanley, son Breck of Beaumont, TX., son and daughter-in-law, LaTye and Nettie of Beaumont, TX.  Delores mourned until her death the passing of her cherished loving son, John Douglas "Butchie" Smith, Jr., III (deceased) who had three children, son Corey D. Smith (deceased), and two daughters, Molly Smith (deceased) and Megin Bannister of Wellington, KS., husband Colby, and four sons, Trenton, Dusty, Colton and Karstin; son, Christopher Michael of Pawnee, OK., daughter, Alexandria, and granddaughter, Alaysia Huggins; and, daughter, Carissa A. Fennell of Wichita, KS., husband Andre, a son Andre Fennell Jr., and daughters, Sedriauna and Jayla.

A woman of much happiness, Delores loved volunteering and serving as a Room Mother or working in the PTA and was always there while raising her children.  After retiring as a Med Aide from Cedar View Nursing Home, Delores adored serving as a volunteer Pink Lady at the Sumner County Hospital, and traveling between Arizona and Texas for long visits with her daughters.  Delores loved to go to church, and she was a kind and gentle sole that accepted Christ into her life at an early age.  She united with the Friendly Second Baptist Church and remained a lifelong member having served throughout the years as the Sunday School Secretary, Women's Missionary, Communion Stewart, and was always asked to prepare her Watergate Salad for the church lunches and dinners.

She is preceded in death and was welcomed into heaven by her father and  mother, Daniel and Susie Johnson, her beloved son, John Douglas "Butchie" Smith, Jr. III, her beloved sister and husband, Lula Mae and Warren "Tony" Morris, sisters Cleo P. Johnson, and Barbara Lou Herndon, and brother, Sgt Walter J. Johnson.  Delores leaves to cherish her memory her daughters Johnnie, Beverly, and Deanna, a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nephews and nieces, great nephews and nieces, friends, and relatives from around the United States who will truly miss her.  We Delores' daughters love our Mama so much, and it is with unbearable pain that we know, we must let her go.