Lois Mae Smith, 94, of Hutchinson, KS, passed away Wednesday, May 25, 2022, at Hutchinson Health and Rehab.
Known to family and friends as Mae, she and her twin brother, Ray, were born January 30, 1928, in Perkins, OK, to Tolbert W. and Cora E. (Downey) Allison. The family lived in Oklahoma, moving to Hutchinson when the twins were in high school.
Graduating from Hutchinson High School in 1946, Mae then graduated from Salt City Business College and began working as a secretary for the judges in the Reno County Probate Court.
On June 6, 1948, Mae was united in marriage to Wallace Reed Smith of Hutchinson, living together until his death in 2012. They had two daughters, Debra and Cindy. While the girls were small, Mae was a stay-at-home mom and set an example of giving back with a variety of community volunteer activities that included PTO work, League of Women Voters, and various volunteer positions with the Girl Scouts.
As a member of Northminster Presbyterian Church, and later New Covenant Presbyterian Church, Mae was involved in youth group activities and a member of Circle. She also served as an elder and deacon.
When the girls were older, Mae answered a friend's request to substitute as a secretary for the President of Hutchinson Community College and began a fifteen-year career as secretary for Dr. Jim Stringer, Dean of Student Services. Following her time at HCC, Mae had a fifteen-year career as secretary to Richard Parker, President of Krause Plow Corporation.
Family and friends were the focus of Mae's life. Everyone was welcome around her table that was filled with her delicious cooking, especially her pies. Holidays were time for her to host dinners for her large family, but parties could come together quickly for birthdays or any other reason.
Mae and Wally loved to travel and be outdoors. Summers were spent camping with extended family around the various lakes in Kansas or traveling to the mountains in Colorado.
Once grandchildren Sarah and Joe came along, Mae and Wally became an active presence in their lives – traveling to Indiana to attend school and sports events as enthusiastic cheerleaders. Always ready for an adventure, Mae was a willing participant in whatever activity was to be tried – kayaking, driveway basketball, and theme parks.
Mae is survived by: her daughters, Debra Kay Crawford (Bill) of Hilton Head Island, SC, and Cindy Kidd (Doug) of Hutchinson, KS; granddaughter, Sarah Kane (Joe) of Minneapolis, MN; grandson, Joseph Wallace Crawford of Minneapolis, MN; and great-grandson, Liam Kane of Minneapolis, MN.
She was preceded in death by: her brothers, Ray, Robert, Otes, and Lester Allison; and sisters, Vera Pritchett, LaVeta Garner, LaVina Bradford, Marie Hawkins, and Neil Bush.
Memorial service will be held at a future date. Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Elliott Mortuary.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to New Covenant Presbyterian Church or Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland, in care of Elliott Mortuary and Crematory, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS.