Helen Deane Smith, 96, Derby, KS, long-time resident of Daugherty, MO, went to her eternal home November 30, 2020.  Funeral services were held  Tuesday December 8, 2020 at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville, MO.   Burial in Orient Cemetery, Harrisonville, Memorial contributions may be made to The Gideons International.

Helen Deane was born December 30, 1923 in Daugherty, MO, a daughter of Robert James and Naomi (Noell) Powell.  She attended Hutchinson Rural School #62 from 1928-1937 and was a 1941 graduate of Harrisonville High School.  Helen Deane moved to Kansas City, MO, working at Montgomery Wards, soon after graduating high school.  She met Robert "Smitty" Smith at a USO dance.  Smitty was from Hearne, Texas, was in the Navy, and was stationed at the Naval Air Station in Olathe, KS.  Helen Deane and Smitty were married August, 1944.  A daughter, Lynda Lee was born in 1945 and a year later they moved to Daugherty, MO where they resided 50 plus years.  A son, Robert Deane, was born in 1957.

Helen Deane was a member of the Daugherty United Methodist Church until it closed in 1993.  She transferred her membership in 1996, and attended the United Methodist Church in Harrisonville, MO.

Helen was a born-again believer.  She loved the word of God and was a faithful, dedicated prayer warrior for friends and family.  She devoted her life to the Lord and family as a wife, sister, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. The grand and great-grandchildren were her joy in life.  Helen was a beautiful seamstress and generously kept her home open to family and friends serving old fashioned country style cooking.  She enjoyed music, singing hymns, and playing the piano. She always had a big garden, raising wonderful sweet corn and tomatoes.  She loved watching birds and after she moved to Mulvane, KS, delighted teaching many of her care givers how to identify them.

Helen Deane had friends of all generations and many have expressed how much they loved her and what she meant to them.

She was preceded in death by her husband, "Smitty" on February 15, 2005 and her sister, Ruth Mathis on May 7, 2016.  Helen Deane is survived by her daughter, Lynda Lee (Rod) Moravec, Mulvane, KS;  a son, Robert Deane (Leslie) Smith, Jupiter, FL; a sister, Winona Powell, Tucson, AZ; her grandchildren, Lisa Kay (Aaron) Waller, Wichita, KS, Jenny Marie (Jade) Hopkins, Derby, KS, Bryan Deane (Dani) Smith, Alpharetta, GA, Brittni (Chip) Stallings, Palm Beach Gardens, FL; 10 great-grandsons, Andrew Waller, Wichita, KS, Allyn Waller, Wichita, KS, Tanner Hopkins, Derby, KS, Conner Hopkins, Derby, KS, Parker Hopkins, Derby, KS, George Stallings, Palm Beach Gardens, FL, Deane Stallings, Palm Beach Gardens, FL, Thomas Stallings, Palm Beach Gardens, FL, Jacob Smith, Alpharetta, GA, and Zachary Smith, Alpharetta, GA.