Obituary for Frances A. Smith
Mrs. Frances A. “Fran” Seifert Smith, age 83 years, of Jefferson City, Mo., passed away Friday, August 2, 2019 at St. Joseph Bluffs surrounded by her family.
Fran was born December 29, 1935 in Jefferson City, Mo. the daughter of Thurman and Ruby G. (Sheley) Vaughan. She was married on September 5, 1954 in Jefferson City, Mo. to Robert D. Seifert, who preceded her in death. On May 28, 2004 in Jefferson City, Mo. she married George E. Smith, who preceded her in death on June 7, 2014.
A lifelong resident of Jefferson City, Fran was a 1953 graduate of Jefferson City High School and attended Texas Christian University.
She was employed as a licensed practical nurse with Dr. L.E. Giffen at Charles E. Still Hospital from 1953 until 1963. In the early 70’s, she hosted a seasonal holiday craft television program promoting the Mattingly/Matco stores. Fran later channeled that creative talent into a career in floral design that she absolutely loved. She was employed with Coach Light Florist, owned “Flowers by Fran”, managed Hy-Vee Flowers, and was later employed by River City Florist, which served as the capstone to her career. Fran especially loved working with brides. As a result, she served as coordinator for countless weddings in our community for over three decades.
Fran cherished time with her family and made many fond memories spending summers with them at the Lake of the Ozarks. She supported her children as a Cub Scout Den Mother and a room mother while they were in school. That support and loving nature continued to her grandchildren. She always loved family gatherings and cooking with her large family.
She was a member and deacon at the First Christian Church. Fran was involved with Weight Watchers for many years and was a noted lecturer throughout Mid-Missouri for the program. She was proud to pilot the first youth program for Weight Watchers.
Survivors include: four children, Steve Seifert (wife Cerise) of Jefferson City, Mo., Leigh Beasley (husband Bill) of Jefferson City, Mo., Janet Blunt (husband Jeffrey) of St. Louis, Mo. and Lisa Bynum of Ballground, Georgia; four step-children, Keith Smith (wife Carrie) of Palm Bay, Florida, Kenny Smith (wife Robin) of Jefferson City, Mo., Danny Smith (wife Kathy) of Jefferson City, Mo. and Pam Frank of Fredericksburg, Va.; three siblings, Richard Vaughan (wife Catherine), Sarah Sherrell, and Charles Vaughan (wife Mary Ann), all of Jefferson City, Mo.; five grandchildren, Jake Seifert, Abbi Haslag (husband Josh), Anna Bynum, Leslie Hodges (husband Grant) and Daniel Blunt; ten step-grandchildren, Shaun Smith (wife Natalie) Stephen Smith (wife Kim), Thomas Smith (wife Melissa), Ashely Ortiz, Sara Lee (husband Brandon), Jessica Dellagione (husband Luigi), Jennifer Toranzo, Mandy Engelbrecht (husband Jason), Danielle Smith, Joey Smith; and twenty-three great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her two husbands; one son-in-law, Bruce Bynum; a sister, Mildred Sherell and her husband Sam; and one brother-in-law, Ron Sherrell.
Her family would also would like to thank Hospice Compassus, the staff at St. Joseph Bluffs, and the staff at Primrose Retirement Center for all the love and care they showed Fran in the last year of her life.
Visitation will be held at First Christian from 10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Thursday, August 8, 2019.
A memorial service will be conducted at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, August 8, 2019 at First Christian Church with the Reverend Beau Underwood officiating.
Those desiring may make memorial contributions to First Christian Church.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary.
Fran was born December 29, 1935 in Jefferson City, Mo. the daughter of Thurman and Ruby G. (Sheley) Vaughan. She was married on September 5, 1954 in Jefferson City, Mo. to Robert D. Seifert, who preceded her in death. On May 28, 2004 in Jefferson City, Mo. she married George E. Smith, who preceded her in death on June 7, 2014.
A lifelong resident of Jefferson City, Fran was a 1953 graduate of Jefferson City High School and attended Texas Christian University.
She was employed as a licensed practical nurse with Dr. L.E. Giffen at Charles E. Still Hospital from 1953 until 1963. In the early 70’s, she hosted a seasonal holiday craft television program promoting the Mattingly/Matco stores. Fran later channeled that creative talent into a career in floral design that she absolutely loved. She was employed with Coach Light Florist, owned “Flowers by Fran”, managed Hy-Vee Flowers, and was later employed by River City Florist, which served as the capstone to her career. Fran especially loved working with brides. As a result, she served as coordinator for countless weddings in our community for over three decades.
Fran cherished time with her family and made many fond memories spending summers with them at the Lake of the Ozarks. She supported her children as a Cub Scout Den Mother and a room mother while they were in school. That support and loving nature continued to her grandchildren. She always loved family gatherings and cooking with her large family.
She was a member and deacon at the First Christian Church. Fran was involved with Weight Watchers for many years and was a noted lecturer throughout Mid-Missouri for the program. She was proud to pilot the first youth program for Weight Watchers.
Survivors include: four children, Steve Seifert (wife Cerise) of Jefferson City, Mo., Leigh Beasley (husband Bill) of Jefferson City, Mo., Janet Blunt (husband Jeffrey) of St. Louis, Mo. and Lisa Bynum of Ballground, Georgia; four step-children, Keith Smith (wife Carrie) of Palm Bay, Florida, Kenny Smith (wife Robin) of Jefferson City, Mo., Danny Smith (wife Kathy) of Jefferson City, Mo. and Pam Frank of Fredericksburg, Va.; three siblings, Richard Vaughan (wife Catherine), Sarah Sherrell, and Charles Vaughan (wife Mary Ann), all of Jefferson City, Mo.; five grandchildren, Jake Seifert, Abbi Haslag (husband Josh), Anna Bynum, Leslie Hodges (husband Grant) and Daniel Blunt; ten step-grandchildren, Shaun Smith (wife Natalie) Stephen Smith (wife Kim), Thomas Smith (wife Melissa), Ashely Ortiz, Sara Lee (husband Brandon), Jessica Dellagione (husband Luigi), Jennifer Toranzo, Mandy Engelbrecht (husband Jason), Danielle Smith, Joey Smith; and twenty-three great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her two husbands; one son-in-law, Bruce Bynum; a sister, Mildred Sherell and her husband Sam; and one brother-in-law, Ron Sherrell.
Her family would also would like to thank Hospice Compassus, the staff at St. Joseph Bluffs, and the staff at Primrose Retirement Center for all the love and care they showed Fran in the last year of her life.
Visitation will be held at First Christian from 10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Thursday, August 8, 2019.
A memorial service will be conducted at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, August 8, 2019 at First Christian Church with the Reverend Beau Underwood officiating.
Those desiring may make memorial contributions to First Christian Church.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary.