Louretta M. Smith, 77, of Savannah, Missouri, passed away Sunday, August 2, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

Louretta was born February 8, 1949, in St. Joseph, Missouri, to Evelyn Grahm and Edgar Mignery. Edgar passed when she was a teen, where she later grew a special bond with her stepfather, Marion Bruce. She was a 1967 graduate of Savannah High School. Louretta was a member of the Marine Corps League Auxiliary.

She was an avid bowler, animal lover, and enjoyed painting and creating ceramic statues. She was a dedicated fan of any sport her children or grandchildren played and especially loved boxing, softball, and baseball. She was an avid music lover, with a special love for George Strait. There was nothing she enjoyed more than sitting with her family, a fresh Diet Coke in hand, sharing stories with old country music playing in the background. Whether it was a family party or a simple dinner at home with her favorite Dairy Queen fish sandwich and chocolate shake—a love she proudly shared with her daughter, Stephanie—she treasured the time spent surrounded by those she loved. She was incredibly proud of her grandchildren and would share their accomplishments with anyone who would listen. Especially when it came to her grandson Powell and grand daughter Gracie’s accomplishments in Boxing and Softball.

She was present for every birth of her grandchildren and took many pictures. Her life revolved around her family. She loved deeply, whether it was her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends, or animals. If you needed her, she was there. Even though her driving was scary at times, she was a devoted driver for her children and grandchildren. Louretta lived for her children, Grandchildren, and Great grandchildren.

She worked at Stetson Hat, Methodist Hospital, Heartland West, Heartland East and Mosaic Life Care until she retired after 35-plus years. After retirement, she devoted her time to taking care of her grand kids, getting them off the school bus, and picking them up from sports practices.

Louretta was a hardworking, compassionate, loving, and dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, faithful friend, and avid animal lover who will be greatly missed.

Louretta was preceded in death by her father, Edgar Mignery; stepfather, Marion Bruce; mother, Evelyn Bruce; brothers, Bob Jones, Bill Jones, and David Jones; sister, Marianne Huschman; husband, Glenn E Smith; grandsons, Cameron Cornelius and Simon Gates; son, Ronald Cornelius Jr.; great-grandsons, Talyn Pfleiderer, Grayson Eugene Seiler, and Kaiden Foster Seiler; nephew, Gene Jones; and niece, Lori Pike.

Survivors include daughter’s, Stephanie (Ronald) Heitman, Step Daughter Cheryl Gates; son, Jeffrey (Linda) Cornelius; brother, Butch Bruce; granddaughters, Cheyann Heitman, Jadan Heitman, Gracie Heitman, Cortney (Caleb) Caudle, Alyssa Daza , Carmen Gates, Gillian Gates and McKenzie Cornelius; grandsons, Powell (Hope) Cornelius, Jimi (Summer) Poe, Preston Cornelius, Scott (Aerielle) Caw, Shaddrich gates, Dean Morgan, Gabriel Gates, Sebastian Gates, and Quinten Daza ; and numerous great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and many, many friends, including her AseraCare Hospice family.

The family suggests memorial contributions to Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel.

Visitation will be Thursday, August 6, 2026, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel, St. Joseph, MO. Funeral services will be Friday, August 7, 2026 at 2:00 pm at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.