Verta I. Smith, 89, of Sterling, Kansas, passed away November 17, 2021 at Sterling Village. She was born February 7, 1932, in Sterling, the daughter of Melvin and Marvel I. Small Anderson. Verta was a lifelong Sterling resident. She graduated from Sterling High School with the class of 1950. Verta worked as a clerk for JCPenny’s, secretary for Sterling High School from 1950-1951, waitress at Jack’s Drive In, Rodger’s Dry Goods, Glenn’s Dress Shop, secretary for Smith Bros. Fina Station, and retired from Ben Franklins. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Sterling, where she taught Sunday School for many years. Verta loved spending time with Eddie, her children and grandchildren. On November 22, 1963, Verta was united in marriage with Everett “Ed” Smith in Hutchinson, Kansas. He preceded her in death on September 5, 2020. She is also preceded in death by her parents; son, Lee Thompson; brother, Elvin Anderson; and sister, Betty Marsh; brother-in-law, Harold Marsh; and nephew, Mark Anderson. Verta is survived by her five children, Pam (Thompson) Stansel and husband Lynn of Hutchinson, KS, Doreen (Smith) Farmer and husband Allan of Sterling, Norris Smith and wife RoseMary of Sterling, Mitch Thompson of Sterling, and Don Thompson and wife Natalie of Alden, KS; sister-in-law, Tommy Anderson of Berwyn Heights, MD; ten grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; numerous great-great-grandchildren; and four nieces and nephews. Funeral service will be at 3:00 P.M., Sunday, November 21, 2021 at Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling. Burial will be at a later date at the Sterling Community Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1:00 until service time at the funeral home. The Family request memorials may be given to Birzer Funeral Home in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling.
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