Joan Ladele Smith

Wichita - Joan Ladele Smith, 93, died October 4, 2024, at her home with her family, and now rests in the hands of the Lord. Joan was born Joan Ladele Roe on July 20th, 1931, to Loyd and Vesta Roe in Elgin, Kansas. Joan attended first grade in Sedan, Kansas. In 1938, Loyd, better known as Pete, went to Saline County in Illinois to work in the oil fields. A few months later, Vesta and Joan moved to Illinois. She attended school from second grade through eighth grade in Illinois. In 1941, Billy Eugene, her only brother, was born.

In 1946, the family moved to Hobbs, New Mexico where her father worked for Shell Oil Co. In the middle of her freshman year, they moved back to Sedan and Joan enrolled in Sedan High School where she graduated in 1949. That same year, her father died. After graduation, she began working at Southwestern Bell in Sedan then transferred to Coffeyville. While there, she attended Coffeyville Community College for one semester. In 1951, she was offered a job at the Sedan State Bank. She returned to Sedan and lived with her mother and brother.  After a complete year at the bank and ready for a new adventure, she and a friend decided to try life in the big city of Wichita. She returned to work at Southwestern Bell. Joan was a service representative in the business office. In 1955, she met a very dynamic guy who worked on the same floor named Jerry Smith. He swept her off her feet and after four short months of courtship, they were married on May 14th, 1955. In February 1956, their first daughter Vicky Sue was born. Joan became a stay-at-home mom. February 1959, Jerry Michael was born, and three years later in 1962 Lisa Ann arrived to complete their family. They enjoyed going to car shows, horse shows, and living on their sprawling country estate.

In 1964, Jerry started his own addressograph business, Midwest Addressing Machines. Joan helped part-time in the business until 1988. As technology changed and computers became more popular, there was less of a need for addressograph. Jerry and Joan decided to open a new business called "Jerry Smith's Command Post," a military surplus store in downtown Wichita at 1125 E Douglas.

In 1981, the entire family, through the efforts of Pastor Doyle Hopper, were saved and came to know the Lord as their personal savior. Joan, having attended Central Baptist Church for nine years, became a member in 2003, and she continued to be a devoted member of the church for many years.

On September 23rd, 2003, Jerry died, and Joan eventually sold the business and their home of 35 years in the country and moved to Wichita in June of 2005. She lived the rest of her Golden Years enjoying time with her family.

Joan enjoyed listening to music. Her all-time favorite being Mickey Gilley, whom she knew personally and was someone she saw throughout the decades. She would take her family on trips to Branson and often vacationed there with Jerry. She would decorate for each holiday and was most famous for her collection of vintage Valentines in which she was featured in the Wichita Eagle. She was knowledgeable on the game of football and was a loyal Kansas City Chiefs fan for numerous years. She would attend games, tailgate, and host watch parties at her house. She loved animals and often kept a four-legged friend in her company. Her dog, Lucky was one of her favorites.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Loyd and Vesta; brother, Bill; and great grandchild, Chandler. She is survived by: 3 children, Vicky Smith, Mike Smith, and Lisa Wilt and son-in-law Ron Wilt; grandchildren, Holly (Cody) Graves, Linsey (Elizabeth) Friesen, and Lauren (Zach) Thornhill, Lana Ladd, Ashley Smith, and Jerod Smith; her numerous great-grandchildren, Dharma and Delilah Ladd, Kyndel, Dalton, Gatlin, Beckett, Ledger, and Palmer Graves, Avett, Sunny, Golden, Wynona, and Camp Friesen, Laila and Tyden Ruehlen.

A celebration of her life will be held 10 a.m. Friday, October 11, 2024, at Central Baptist Church of Augusta, 7421 SW Church Rd, Augusta, Kansas. Burial will follow at Branson Cemetery of Derby, 11200 E. 47th St S, Derby, KS 67037. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Joan's memory may be made to Headley Funeral Chapel, 813 State St., Augusta, KS 67010.