Connie Smart

Connie L. Gilliland Smart age 86 was called home to be with her Lord and Savior on October 20, 2021. Cremation has taken place under the care of Ford-Wulf-Bruns, and a family celebration of life will be held on a later date. The family suggests memorials to the Coffeyville Friends of Animals, The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America or donor’s choice and may be left with Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel, 2405 Woodland Ave, Coffeyville, KS 67337. To leave an online condolence or share a memory visit www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com

Connie was born June 27, 1935, in Corbin City (Cherryvale), Kansas to James L. Gilliland and Mildred Gilliland (Tuttle). She attended and graduated from Cherryvale High School. On June 5, 1953, Connie married the love of her life, Charles Smart. He passed away in 2016 after 62 years of marriage. Shortly after marriage, Connie joined Charles in La Rochelle, France as he completed his U.S. military service. After short stints in Cherryvale, KS and Salem, MO, Connie, and family settled in Independence, KS. She retired from Tri-County Special Ed after 30 plus years of dedicated service. Connie was a member of First Christian Church, Independence, KS. and served as Board member, Board secretary and deacon.

Connie’s memory will be carried on by her two sons, David and wife Delia Smart of Olathe, Kansas and Andy and wife Alicia Smart of Coffeyville, Kansas, a sister Judy Byram and a brother Doug and wife Barbara Tuttle. She loved children and was blessed with six grandchildren, Shawn Smart Magee and husband Jeff, Adam and wife Shannon Smart, Tom and wife Missy Smart, Torey Smart DeWitt and husband Luke, Michael Smart and Cooper Smart. She also loved her eight great-grandchildren, Olivia, Bryce, Addie, Hudson, Carson, Jackson, Jonathan, and Jeremiah. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents and sister Virginia Bryant.

She loved singing and listening to music, cooking, baking, and spending time with her family. Crosswords, sudoku puzzles, playing cards and other brain teasers were favorite past-times.