Willa Irlene Smith

Willa “Irlene” Smith, 84, of Moberly, passed away Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia, Mo. 

Irlene was born in Humansville, Mo., April 30, 1940, the oldest of 8 children of James Arthur and Sylvia Pearl (Sears) Camey.  She graduated from Humansville High School in 1958 and married Robert “Bob” Smith on May 25, 1958.  They had 4 children, Kevin, Mark, Michelle, and Laura.  They moved to Keytesville, Mo. for Bob to pursue his instrumental teaching career and then he accepted a position with Moberly Public Schools in 1968, where they made their forever home.

She was a housewife until the mid-70’s then started working part time for Wilkinson Music Company.  Bob and her went on to purchase that store in 1988 when Bob retired from teaching, and it became Smith Music Company until 2001 when they sold it and fully retired.

To know Irlene was to love her.  She was a caretaker to all, a listening ear. A plethora of knowledge and was the calm to all storms.  She was an incredible cook, and if you were ever fortunate to sit at her table, you did not leave hungry.  Cooking was her love language and over the years she blessed many with cookies and special treats, she knew they loved.  She was an avid reader and frequented the local library.  She enjoyed crossword puzzles, playing board games with the grandkids and crocheting, making many baby afghans over the years that she gifted to family and friends.  She was an animal lover, particularly dogs, and often donated to the Central Missouri Humane Society.

She is survived by her 4 children, Robert “Kevin” Smith (Diane), Mark Smith (Tammy), Michelle Hancock (Jim), and Laura Peel (Charlie), 10 grandchildren, Racheal Acuff, Kyle Smith (Sarah), Maggie LaNeave (Daryl), Neil Smith (Christy), Zach Brown, Holden Peel (Shelby), Shelby Kelly (Matt), Casey Schopp (Zac), Dakota Peel (Joely), Sadie Benefiel (Brett) and 15 great grandchildren, 5 brothers, James Camey (Nancy), John Camey (Helen), Vernon Camey, David Camey (Connie), Brian Camey (Susan), a sister Deborah (Camey) Smartt (Jim), a brother-in-law Ernest Smith (Ginger), a sister-in-law Cathy Smith, several nieces, nephews,  friends and other relatives.

Irlene was preceded in death by her husband Bob, a grandson Gregory Smith, son-in-law Gary Brown, a beloved sister, Arta Lee (Camey) Olson, and a brother-in-law Larry Smith.

In lieu of flowers memorials would be appreciated to the Central Missouri Humane Society, 616 Big Bear Blvd. Columbia, Mo. 65202

Words of comfort and support were shared with the family at a visitation, at the Cater Funeral Home followed by a service, graveside at the Oakland Cemetery.  Committal prayer and burial followed.