Kellie Smith passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 20, 2025 after a long illness.

Kellie Jean Smith was born on January 28, 1967 to joyous parents Gene and Mary Ann Center, although Kellie didn’t get to meet her father for the first time until she was nine months old when he returned from serving in Vietnam. After a brief stint in St. Louis due to Gene’s military obligations, the family returned home to Sullivan where Kellie lived a joyous childhood. She spent her days getting into trouble with cousins at her grandparent’s house, building lifelong friendships, and generally living a life marked by fun.

Kellie was married to her husband Robbin Smith on June 23, 1995. They welcomed their son Owen home in 2003, and their daughter Abigail came home in 2007. Kellie ensured that her family felt safest and most secure when they were together. They shared a love of Friday movie night, ordering carryout from their favorite restaurants, and simply spending time together at home, even when they were each doing their own thing. Kellie loved reading and crafting, always having a new book to discuss or a DIY project that she was working on.

When Kellie wasn’t crafting with paper and hot glue guns, however, she was crafting the perfect prank. Her “official” letters among friends and family were legendary, informing the recipient of their alleged malfeasance and required fees…usually signed by one Mrs. “Youra Doofus”. Pranks were just one expression of Kellie’s iconic sense of humor—no one had a quicker wit or brighter smile. She knew every song and the artist, every quote from every film, and everyone she grew up with, their maiden name, and what street their parents lived on in Sullivan. That knowledge of her small town came especially in handy for Kellie’s career, which she built at Shelter Insurance over the course of 25 years. She loved her job and getting to serve and talk with people daily.

Few people have the same genuine vibrancy that Kellie had. While many had the privilege of calling her friend, a select few had the honor of knowing her as a best friend, and those individuals will forever be marked by her presence in their lives. Her church family at Temple Baptist were also among those blessed to know Kellie, especially the children she and Robbin taught in Sunday school for many years and spanning several age groups. Always a smile on her face, Kellie brought life to every room she entered, including the oncology department where she spent many of her final days. Kellie’s fight against cancer was marked by longsuffering and periods of isolation, but she lived in light of the promise of Hebrews 6:19—a faith and hope that anchored her soul and kept her looking forward to tomorrow. Kellie’s hope and prayer for her friends and family is that they would do the same: to grab hold of a faith that hopes in an eternity promised by Jesus Christ.

Kellie is survived by her loving husband, Robbin; two children: Owen and Abigail; mother, Mary Ann Center of Sullivan; mother-in-law, Linda Punshon of St. Louis, MO; brothers: Rolla “Michael” Center and fiancée, Bridget Schroepfer of Leslie, MO, and Justin Center of Sullivan; sisters in law: Allison Reilly and husband, Mike of St. Louis, MO, and Danielle Campbell and husband, Curtis, of Waxahachie, TX; nieces and nephews: Kendall Stricklin and her husband, Seth, Taylor Jones and her husband, Bradley, Christian & Zachary Center, Trevin & Nolan Center; great-nephews and great-niece: Griffin Stricklin, Theodore & Ruby Jones; and other relatives and many dear friends.

Kellie was preceded in death by her father, Rolla “Gene” Center and her sister-in-law, Kristin Center; and brother-in-law, Ziggy Eichorst.

Services will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at Temple Baptist Church in Sullivan with Pastor Scott Perry officiating. Interment will follow at the I.O.O.F Cemetery in Sullivan.

Visitation will be 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, March 24, 2025 at Temple Baptist Church, Sullivan.

Memorial contributions may be given to Totes for Tots and Teens.

Condolences may be shared online with Kellie’s family at www.eatonfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home of Sullivan, MO.