Verlee Smith

is honored with a Brick from the Morgans: Pat, Nan, Kay, Sue, and Harry.

Verlee, born to Charlotte Ann Peake and Jesse Lloyd Swain on September 18, 1917, in Ramer Tennessee. She had four sisters and one brother. She grew up in rural Tennessee and knew the Depression years. She graduated from high school in Ramer.

In 1937, she married Chester C. Smith and moved to Savannah, Tennessee. She and her husband had six children. They farmed some and Mr. Smith served in the Air Force. In l949 they transplanted their six children to Wichita and the aircraft industry.

Her greatest love was children. Her six children knew her unconditional love and support all of her life. For this we are all grateful. She was LOVE and she was LOVED.

She found her niche in 1983 when she discovered the Foster Grandparent Program. She blossomed. She boasted in a 1985 article in the Wichita Eagle, entitled "Very Important Volunteer," that she was grandmother to about 800 kids. She was active in the Senior Center at Colvin, office holder in the Golden Agers, as well as a CPO representative for her district. Her friends called her "The Hugger," and the children came from all over Colvin to give "Grandmother" a hug. She claimed that's why God gave us arms.

We are honored to have her among the heroines in the Plaza.

Submitted by Carol Morgan, daughter

September 12, 1998