Smith Center - Frances L. "Francie" Copper, 90, passed away Sunday, July 29, 2018 at Smith Center Health and Rehab.
Francie was born September 26, 1927 in Portis, KS, the daughter of Ruth (Lammey) and William Moate. She lived on a farm north of Portis until she was 13 when her family moved to a family farm east of Smith Center. Francie attended junior high and high school in Smith Center and graduated in 1945. After high school she attended college at Kansas State University graduating in 1950 with a Home Economics degree. Francie met her future husband, Don, while they both were attending KSU.
After college graduation, she became a Home Demonstration Agent in Stockton, KS for three years. On March 11, 1951 Francie married Don Copper in Smith Center at the United Methodist Church and they were married for over 67 years.
In 1953 Don and Francie moved from Stockton to the family farm east of Smith Center where she had grown up. She and Don were always involved in community and school activities. They were members of the Smith Center United Methodist Church. She was a member of the United Methodist Womens' Circle for many years. They always had a huge garden and shared their vegetables with as many friends as possible. They always fixed fresh vegetables for church and funeral dinners. She was also a member of the Over 60's club, Pinochle club, Picnic club and she and Don were crowned the Old Settler's Day King & Queen in 2017.
Francie enjoyed judging 4-H and open class for many years at county fairs throughout Kansas. She also judged at the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson. While judging at the fair she met many lifelong friends. Francie was always involved with 4-H and taught many kids cooking, sewing, baking and canning. She was a leader and very involved when her children were growing up.
She was a substitute teacher at Smith Center High School for many years. She always enjoyed the students and they enjoyed her sense of humor. Francie also taught Special Education for three years before it was started in public schools. She dearly loved her students and always followed how they were doing as they grew up.
For many years in Smith Center, Francie was known as "The Avon Lady". She always enjoyed visiting with her customers. So many women over the years have said that they always looked forward to her stopping by their homes when they were little girls because Francie would always give them lipstick samples! She received numerous awards for her Avon sales and was an Albi award winner for many years which was a top award in Avon.
Don and Francie always enjoyed traveling with their daughter Nancy and going on cruises with Mike and Linda Nebel. They traveled to Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean, Alaska, Western Caribbean, South America and many places in Europe. Don and Francie have many cherished memories of their travels and cruises.
For many years Don and Francie went camping at the lake with their motor home. They both enjoyed spending lake time with family and friends and had lots of good times. Going to KSU football games over the years became their favorite thing to do in the fall. They always loved tailgating with family and friends. The presence of Willie the Wildcat was everywhere in their home.
Francie resided at Smith Center Heath and Rehab for the last nine years. She enjoyed getting to know the employees and was always interested in what was going with their families. Many of them have said how much she will be missed. They all made her home away from home more enjoyable.
Francie was loved by so many. She was a very caring and compassionate lady. Her wit and humor always kept everyone laughing. She dearly loved her family and cherished the times they spent together. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren were so special to her. Francie will be missed by many but her legacy will last forever.
She is preceded in death by her parents and a son-in-law Jim.
Francie is survived by her husband Don of Smith Center; a daughter Nancy Roberts of Wichita; two sons, Jeff (Marla) Copper of Hays and Jim (Pam) Copper of North Newton; two sisters, Betty Jane Lambert of Manhattan, Carolyn (Kurt) Heaton of Topeka; a sister-in-law Marilyn Copper of Wichita; eight grandchildren, Josh Copper of North Newton, Joey (Alicia) Copper of Bel Aire, Ashley Roberts of Wichita, Aaron (Brittany) Roberts of Wichita, Molly (John) McMurtrie of Hays, Michael (Charlotte) Copper of Hays, Maggie (Cameron) Moeder of Ellis and Millie Copper of Kansas City, MO; fourteen great grandchildren, Miley, Ally, Remy and Reed Copper, Hudson and Brynn Roberts, Jack, Jacy and Jerzy McMurtrie, Emersyn and Elliot Copper, Camdyn Copper, Weston and Callen Moeder and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, August 2, 2018 at All Faiths Funeral Chapel, Smith Center, KS, with Pastor Dennis Lambert officiating. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 1, 2018 from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with family present to greet friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Burial will take place in Fairview Cemetery, Smith Center, KS. Memorials may be given to Smith County 4-H and sent in care of the funeral chapel.