Bethel Maud Smith, 95, longtime well-known Osawatomie resident, died Sunday, Jan. 22, 2006, at her home.

She was born Sept. 8, 1910, in Weston, Mo., the second of six children of Samuel Benjamin and Carrie Amy Hedge Reed. The family lived in Atchison, Kan., before moving to Osawatomie when she was a small child. She attended all of her school years in Osawatomie and graduated from Osawatomie High School with the Class of 1928.

She married Nathaniel Smith, and they became the parents of two children, Melrita and Benjamin. Her husband preceded her in death. She later married Percy Richard, and they became the parents of a son, Adrian. He also preceded her in death. Mrs. Smith married Plas Smith in December 1943 in Osawatomie. They became the parents of one daughter, Marietta. He preceded her in death.

During World War II, Mrs. Smith worked for the railroad in the maintenance department. She also worked in the dietary department at Osawatomie State Hospital from July 5, 1963, until September 30, 1975. She also did housework for many people in Osawatomie. She was known as a very hard worker. It was her housekeeping income that put all her children through college. She also worked at the Elms Motel and NuWay Cleaners.

Mrs. Smith was a well-known volunteer of the Foster Grandparent Program for more than 22 years, and, at the time of her death, had been a Grandma working at TriKo Inc. for 20 years.

Mrs. Smith was a member of the Ebenezer Baptist Church, where she taught youth class. At the time of her death, she was a 52-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star, where she was worthy matron of Ada Chapter 3, P.H.A. She had been a member of the Fireside Club.

Others preceding her in death were a daughter, Melrita Pickens; two brothers, Samuel Reed Jr. and Robert Howard Reed; and two sisters, Carrie Reed and Margaret Berry.

Survivors include two sons, Benjamin Smith of Spanaway, Wash., and Adrian Richard of Tacoma, Wash.; a daughter, Marietta Brockman, also of Tacoma; a sister, Ruth Wrench of Osawatomie; 13 grandchildren; six stepgrandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and nine great-great-grandchildren.

Services were Saturday at Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home in Osawatomie. Burial was in Osawatomie Cemetery. Pallbearers were Howard Smith, Troy Smith, Richard Smith, Terry Smith, Paul Brockman, Enos Richard, Elrid Richard, Clarkston Richard and Michael Berry.

Memorials may be made to the church.