Leola Electa (Smith) Moody

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Jan. 29, 1918 - Sept. 19, 2008

WAUNETA -- Leola Electa (Smith) Moody, 90, died Friday (Sept. 19, 2008) at Wauneta.

She was born Jan. 29, 1918, near Eskridge, Kan., to Jesse William and Almetta Estella (Van Deventer) Smith. The family moved by immigrant train to Chase County and settled in the Blanche Community. In 1925, her family moved to Imperial. She graduated from Chase County High School in 1934.

After completing "normal training" she taught in a one-room, all-grade rural schools for three years. She later graduated from Hastings Business College and then served as Deputy County Treasurer at the Chase County Courthouse.

On Feb. 14, 1942, she married Woodrow Moody in Imperial. She lived and worked in Tacoma, Wash., where her husband was stationed in the Army until his transfer overseas. She then moved to Denver, Colo., and worked as a night dispatcher at Union Pacific Station. She also enrolled in millinery classes and became a designer and creator of women's hats.

After her husband's service, they returned to the Moody farm. They later built a home in Bella Vista, Ariz., where they visited several times a year.

She was a member of the Wauneta United Methodist Church for 60 years and taught Sunday School and was active in the UMW.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Woodrow in Sept. 1998; an infant sister; and adopted brother, Charlie Smith.

Survivors include her daughter, Vonna Jo Moody and life partner, Howard Kaler; brother, Ansel Smith and wife, Connie of Madison, Minn.; sister, Jeanette Blackledge and husband, Richard of Idaho Falls, Idaho; three nieces; and a nephew.

Funeral services were today, Sept. 23, 2008, at United Methodist Church in Wauneta, with the Rev. Judy Dye officiating. Interment was at Riverside Cemetery at Wauneta.

Liewer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.