Kathryn L. Smith

Kathryn Swearingen Smith passed away on Tuesday, October 22, 2013 at the age of 94 in the Genesis Senior Living Center, Aledo. Kathryn was an exceptional woman and loved by her family, her friends, and her community. She was born in Ohio Grove Township in Mercer County, Illinois, the only child of Elvis Swearingen and Nellie Langford Swearingen. They were a farm family, living in the Sunbeam neighborhood and attending the Sunbeam Presbyterian Church. Kathryn attended a local, one-room schoolhouse. The family moved to Aledo and Kathryn attended Aledo High School, where she first met Frank Smith. Kathryn and Frank were co-Salutatorians of their graduating class in 1936. Kathryn went on to Monmouth College and then to the University of Colorado in Boulder, CO where she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree. Kathryn and Frank were married on June 3, 1941. Not long after their marriage they moved to Kentucky where Frank worked with Ashland Oil as an accountant. When he joined the Navy in the Supply Corps during World War II, Kathryn moved back to Aledo while Frank went overseas. He was a Lieutenant JG in the Navy. Upon his return, they settled in Mercer County on a farm 8.5 miles south of Aledo where they lived their entire married life. They had three daughters, and during that time Kathryn was a committed homemaker and amazing cook. Kathryn taught school at both Northside and Southside schools in Aledo. Frank died on June 28, 1991. Kathryn loved sewing, baking, gardening, and volunteering in the community. She was a member of Chapter H PEO; Mercer County History Forum; a YMCA volunteer; member of the hospital auxiliary; and she was an active member of the Aledo United Methodist Church. She was a Sunday School teacher, active in United Methodist Women and Wesleyan Circle, and other committees. She was chosen as Jaycee Woman of the Year. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Frank; son in infancy, Roger; Grandson, Adam Graser; and Great- Granddaughter, Erika Kate Maynard. Surviving are her daughters Susan Beasley (husband Jesse) of Denver, CO; Carol Graser, Annapolis, MD; and Sally Frye (husband Mike Frye) of Aledo, IL. Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren are: Leslie Beasley Vidal (husband Armando) and sons Max and Charlie, Denver, CO; David Beasley (wife Danielle) and son Zegen and daughter April, Denver, CO; Sara Thomas and daughter Charlotte, Silver Spring, MD; Traci Maynard (husband Rich) and daughters Emma and Ella and their son Evan, Muscatine, IA; and Todd Frye (wife Tiffany) and their daughters Grace, Alexa and Lila and son Brady, Milan, IL. Services are 3:00 p.m., Saturday, October 26, at the Aledo United Methodist Church, Aledo, with visitation prior to the service from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Burial will be in the Aledo Cemetery. As an alternative to flowers, memorials can be made to the Aledo United Methodist Church or the Erika Kate Hope Alliance. Their Mission is to help ease the emotional, spiritual and financial burdens borne by parents of children with life-threatening heart disease. http://www.erikakate.org