Obituary of Clara Smith

Clara J Smith (Cross), also known as "Toey", of Ryland Heights, passed away Saturday, January 2, 2016 at the age of 102 years old. Clara was the daughter of Charles and Minnie Hergott Cross. She is preceded in death by Leslie Smith, her beloved husband; a sister, Katherine Cross Bridges and a brother, Charlie Cross. She is survived by a daughter, Donna Baute(Robert); granddaughters, Dana Baute Lambert (Matt) and Brianne Baute; great-grandson, Blake Lambert; along with several nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. Clara retired as the Cafeteria Manager of Ryland Heights Elementary School from 1960 to 1978 in Kenton County Schools. She loved preparing food and meals for family, friends, church and the school children. Always important to her that no child should go thru the lunch line without something to eat. Kids would always ask her to come to middle and high school to fix lunches there. Even in later years, as recent as five years ago, people came up to her and asked if she was the Cafeteria Lady from Ryland. They remembered her kindness. One past student even paid for our lunch at Bob Evans and told how Clara had been so good to him when he had forgot his lunch money long ago. After retiring, she spent a lot of time taking care of family, friends and neighbors. Clara and her sister were well known for their blackberry and lemon chiffon cake. She loved to travel and was always ready to go. She was featured on WKRC News for her experience of the 1937 flood. In 2013, SSNK asked her to be on the cover of their magazine and her photo was on some of their vans as inspiration to all as well as being in newspaper articles featuring her when turning 100. Clara was active in church, always working festivals, first making slaw, then later worked the Big Raffle Ticket Sales table. She was a founding member of the Ryland Heights Ladies Auxiliary and also to Primetimers Sr. Club, Irish Rovers Sr. Club, Independence Senior Center and Walton Senior Center. She was a Kentucky Colonel and at age 100, the day was declared Clara Cross Smith Day in Kenton County. She also worked at the election polls up till 2013. She loved to play Euchre, watching UK basketball games, music and dancing, especially Opryland in Nashville. Visitation will be on Wednesday, January 6, 2016 at Chambers & Grubbs Independence from 4-7 PM. A funeral Mass will take place on Thursday, January 7, 2016 at St. Matthews Church in Morningview at 1 PM. Memorial donation are suggested to: St. Matthew St. Mary Cemetery Fund, 13782 Decoursey Pike, Morningview, KY 41063 or Hospice of St. Elizabeth, Suite 213, 1 Medical Village Dr., Edgewood, KY 41017 or donors choice.