Ardis Georgine Smith

In Loving Memory of Ardis Georgine Smith

November 23, 1934 – July 30, 2026

With grateful hearts for a life well lived, we celebrate the life of Ardis Smith, who passed away peacefully at the age of 91.

Born in Bird City, Kansas, to Lucille and George Alberty, she spent her early years in western Kansas before moving to Dodge City as a teenager.  She graduated from Dodge City High School where she participated in band, drill team, and was football queen her senior year.  She attended Dodge City Junior College, where she met the love of her life, Wendell Smith.  They were married on July 25, 1954, beginning a beautiful journey of faith, family, and service.

Together they lived in Lawrence, Kansas City, and Wichita, Kansas, and eventually Midland, Texas where they built a wonderful life and raised their family.

Her greatest joy was always her family.  She dearly loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  Nothing made her smile more than having them gathered around her.  In the last months of her life, one of her greatest joys was finally meeting her newest great-grandchild, a moment she had eagerly anticipated for months and treasured with all her heart.

She had a servant’s heart and spent her life caring for others.  She volunteered as a Pink Lady at the hospital for 38 years, and served as a Girl Scout leader for all three daughters as well as participating in PTA.  She was active in the United Methodist Women at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, and played in the bell choir at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. She quietly touched countless lives through her kindness and generosity.  She was a devoted fan of the Dallas Cowboys, University of Kansas Jayhawks, the Lee Rebels, and any sport or activity her kids or grandchildren were involved in.

She found joy in the simple pleasures of life – playing in multiple bridge groups and sharing coffee and conversation with her cherished friends at Manor Park.  For several decades she participated with her S&B sewing group creating beautiful keepsakes, raising their families and travelling together. She genuinely loved people and had a remarkable ability to make everyone feel welcome.  She never met a stranger and was always ready to lend a helping hand.

She never wanted gifts for herself.  Instead, she encouraged her children to donate to local food banks so that others could have meals.  That simple request reflected the compassion, humility, and selflessness that defined her life.

Ardis is survived by her husband of 72 years, Wendell Smith, her daughters Diane Easter, Nancy (Dave) Pickrell, Charliss (Mike) Rodgers; grandchildren, Chris Easter, Stephanie Foster, Erin Bass, Brett Rodgers, Dustin Pickrell, and Trevor Pickrell, as well as 7 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, John Alberty, and preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Carl, and her son-in-law, Bob Easter.

We would like to thank Dr. PK Patel, and the multiple caregivers who took care of her in the past year.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, August 8th, at 2:00pm in the Helen Greathouse Activity Room at Manor Park.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to AMOS, a local food bank.  We can think of no more fitting way to honor her generous heart.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.” – Matthew 25:23

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory  of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.

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