Jane H. Smith

Rebecca Jane Hart Smith (96) passed away on Wednesday, July 7, 2021 in Wichita, Kansas. Jane was born July 22, 1924 to John and Lida Hart in Oklahoma City. She lived there for 94 years before moving to Wichita in October, 2019. She was proud to be a faithful member of Wesley Methodist Church for over nine decades, serving in various capacities including choir member, thrift shop director, and the resident extraordinaire of exquisite sewing and needle work in the Women's Guild.After graduating from Classen High School in 1942, Jane began her career as a teller at First National Bank and Trust Company. During WWII, she knitted sweaters for the Red Cross and enjoyed dances with the dashing servicemen on leave in Oklahoma City. On one such occasion, she met her future husband 1st Lt. Henry A. Smith, and they were married on October 4, 1945. They later lived in Worcester, Massachusetts for several years before returning to Oklahoma City. The Smith family soon included sons John Edward and Paul Allen, and moved six times during their early years. Henry was recalled to active duty by the Air Force during the Korean Conflict, and they were stationed in San Antonio, Texas for two years. Jane was quick to make friends in their many homes, and even quicker to make her family's lives warm, loving, and special.Jane was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and her brother, John J. Hart, Jr. After her husband's death in 1965, Jane spent ten years as the business manager at Northwest Classen High School. She then returned to First National Bank and Trust Company to work in the bond department. After her retirement from the bank, her final position was in marketing at Baptist Integris Hospital where she also served as a valuable volunteer who logged over 10,000 hours and won many awards.Jane excelled in all kinds of fine handwork such as knitting, crocheting, cross-stitch, and needle point. She especially delighted in making caps for the newborns at the hospital and designing heirloom quality Christmas stockings for her entire family – two sons, two daughters-in-law, three grandchildren, five great grandchildren, and special friends.Jane is survived by her sons John (Sheryl) Smith and Paul (Maureen) Smith, her grandson Christopher (Jennifer) Smith and great-granddaughters Bree and Ashlyn, her granddaughter Stephanie DeLeon, her grandson Bradley (Naomi) Smith and great-grandchildren Elliot, Alice, and Malachi, her niece Linda Barnard and nephew Roger Smith.Our family wishes to thank Sheila Taylor of Sedgwick Plaza and Hai and Stephanie of Serenity Hospice for their loving patience and generous care of Jane.To watch the service online, click the "View Funeral Service" button below."To everything, there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the heavens."Ecclesiastes 3:1