Jeanne L. Smith

Jeanne Lee Jacoby Smith, 78, of McPherson, KS, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 13, 2023, at The Cedars, McPherson.

Jeanne was born November 30, 1944, in Gettysburg, PA to Mildred & Glen Jacoby.  The oldest of nine children, she is survived by her husband, Herb, and her children, Adam (grandson Zealand) and MiRan (granddaughters, Adaronda & Sierra).

Jeanne received her Ed.D. from Kansas State University.  She was the Director of Publicity and later Professor of English and Education at McPherson College.  She wrote the book Refugees and edited Child Trafficking in Asia.

She co-hosted thirty international trips with her husband to thirty different countries.  Her life long passion for social justice led her to start libraries in Ethiopia, teach English to the Pygmies of Rwanda, and to teach former untouchables at a graduate school in India as well as work at a leprosarium.

She started Apple/Bread Festivals for CROP and an Alternative Christmas market.  She made over five thousand school kits for Church World Service.

She is dearly missed by those whom she loved.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Friday, March 24, 2023, at Stockham Family Funeral Home.  A graveside service will be held at 9:30 AM, Saturday, March 25, at the McPherson Cemetery followed by a memorial service at 11:00 AM, at the McPherson Church of the Brethren.  To view a live stream broadcast of the service, please click on the following link: https://youtube.com/live/Elcs290LzOQ?feature=share

Memorial donations may be given to CCEPI, which stands for Center for Caring, Empowerment and Peace Initiatives that helps Nigerian people who face violence and trauma,  in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460.