Jewell Grace Smith, 96, died peacefully in her sleep on July 18, 2018.  She was born to Rev. John William and Verda Minor on April 11, 1922 in St. Joseph, MO, the third of four children.  Her siblings, Bill, Earl Wayne and June Rose all preceded her in death.

Jewell graduated from Central High School, St. Joseph, MO in 1939.  After high school she continued her education at William Jewell College in Liberty, graduating in 1945.  She taught school for several years before marrying Frank Smith.  From this union, four sons were born.  Divorced in 1959, she returned to school earning her Master's degree in Library Science from Texas Women's University in 1962.  Moving her family to Columbia, MO she started her career at the Boone County Library, before moving to Springfield to work for the Springfield-Greene County Library System in 1965.  She served as President of the Missouri Library Association in 1971 and 1972, and was a member of the American Library Association for many years.  She rose to the position of the Director of the Library in 1979 and stayed until her retirement in 1989.  In 1990, she took the position of Executive Director of the Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Foundation until 1993.  After leaving the foundation she traveled throughout Europe, and the United States visiting friends and family.

Surviving are her four sons, Barry and Doane, both of Springfield, Craig and his wife Laurie of Shiloh, IL and Alan of Gainesville, MO.  She also leaves behind grandchildren, Morgan Smith, Airik Wood, Michael and John Schlipp, Nicodemus Smith, Kari Smith, Jamie Willis and spouse Andy; great-granddaughter, Evynne; and good friend of 56 years, Judith Armstrong.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 24, 2018 from 6 to 8:00 PM at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home.  No funeral service will be held.