Princeton, MO: Michelle Ann Smith, 61, Princeton, MO passed away Wednesday, August 21, 2019 at a Bethany, MO hospital.
Michelle was born in Great Falls, Montana on January 23, 1958. Michelle was the first born daughter of Robert G. and Barbara O. Smith. Later her family moved to Stanberry, MO and shortly after settled in Ridgeway, MO where Michelle lived most of her life. After graduating from Ridgeway R-V in 1976, she attended North Central Missouri College and Northeast Missouri University (now referred to as Truman State University) to earn her nursing degree.
Michelle worked as a registered nurse and took pride in caring for her patients. Over the years, Michelle (and her family) received many compliments and thanks from families for the care she provided their loved ones. She was a great source of pride to her family. During her career, Michelle worked as the Director of Nursing for Bethany Care Center, as a hospice nurse for Harrison County Home Health, and as a Sr. RN for the State of Missouri at the Albany Regional Center until she retired in 2018.
In her free time, Michelle enjoyed sewing, quilting, and crafting. She often made elaborate Halloween costumes for her nieces and nephews and beautiful quilts for family and friends. Michelle loved to read and spend time with her family, especially her nieces and nephews. Every year, Michelle would save all of her change to buy fireworks for her family. She loved putting a smile on everyone’s face. Michelle was extremely intelligent and enjoyed sharing odd facts with her family. Her family would often tease her about her stories. Then they’d find out that she was right all along. Anyone who knew Michelle was treated to her stories. She was definitely one of a kind and is already missed more than words can explain.
Those preceding her in death include: her father, Robert Smith; her sister, Janell Smith; nephew, Robert “Robbie” Smith; niece, Kelsey Shea Purdun, maternal grandparents, and paternal grandparents.
Michelle is survived by her mother, Barbara Smith, Princeton; sisters, Carolyn (Troy) Purdun, Princeton; Lisa (Robert) Cornett, Hamilton; and brother, Robert Smith, Wichita, KS; her nieces, Anna (Shawn) Muselman, Abby Darnell, Morgan Smith, Rylan Purdun, Addison Cornett, Kasen Purdun, Brooklyn Cornett, and Jaden Purdun; her nephews, Vance (Morgan) Purdun and Gunnarson Cornett; her great-nephew, Robert Muselman and great-niece, Sadie Muselman.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, August 24 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Bethany, MO under the direction of Roberson Funeral Home, Bethany, MO. Inurnment will be held at a later date in Yankee Ridge Cemetery, Ridgeway, MO. The family will receive friends from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Saturday at the church. Memorials may be made to Yankee Ridge Cemetery in care of Roberson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 46, Bethany, MO 64424. Online condolences may be left at www.robersonfuneralhome.com