Memorial

Frances Kay (Walker)  Smith, 77 of Cedar Rapids died Sunday May 5, 2019 at her home after a courageous battle with cancer. Funeral Mass: 10:00 AM on Thursday at St. Matthew Catholic Church. Rev. Steve Garner will officiate. Private family inurnment in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. There will be a visitation on Wednesday at the Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home from 4 to 8 PM where there will be a vigil service at 4:00 PM.

She is survived by three sons and their wives; Larry & Sarah Smith Cedar Rapids,  Mike & Karen Smith St Petersburg, FL. and Tom & Cary Smith, Robins; her grandchildren, Ashley (fiancé Alex), Hunter, Harrison, Jacob, Gavin & Brandon Smith ; one sister, Diane Miller, Johnson City, N. Y., brothers and sisters-in-law Daryl & Jean Walker, Edwardsville, IL.; Fred & Geri Walker, Des Moines, sisters-in-law Marianne (John) Barnes, Swisher; Jenny Smith, Cedar Rapids; Thiara Smith, Bettendorf and brother-in-law John Smith, Cedar Rapids, Aunt Letty Kemp of Waterloo and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and in laws Glen & Mary Smith, brother in law’s Bob Smith and Patrick Miller, niece Rebecca Miller and nephew Dan Miller. She was also preceded in death by her husband on May 12, 1999 and her daughter Lynn Marie on May 3, 2012. 

Frances (Fran) was born to Frank & Evelyn (Kemp) Walker on January 20, 1942 in Waterloo, Iowa. She married Richard L. (Smitty) Smith on Nov 23, 1963 in Waterloo, Iowa. In 1990 she became a Realtor and worked with her husband at R. L. Smith & Co., Realtors.  When he passed away in 1999 the company merged with Coldwell Banker Hedges and she continued selling real estate for them until her retirement in 2015. Since 2003 she has been dedicated in organizing volunteers to provide evening meals to the Catholic Worker House. It was a project near and dear to her heart. She enjoyed a good book, playing bridge or any other card game, journaling and spending time with the grandchildren.  She never tired of watching the sunsets at St. Pete Beach.

“I was blessed with a deep faith that helped me through some very difficult times, a wonderful family who were always there for me and a multitude of wonderful friends who were more than I could have asked for”.

 She will forever be remembered as a loving, devoted, and caring wife, mother, sister, friend and grandmother who was affectionately known as “Granny Franny”. 

“Special thanks to Essence of Life Hospice for the care and compassion given to Fran”.

Memorials can be made to Essence of Life Hospice, 3207 220th Trail, Amana, IA 52203 or Catholic Worker House, 1027 5th Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403