Julius Maurice Smith was the 7th Son and 8th child born to the late Leonard Sr and
Davie Mae Smith on July 28, 1942 in Ethel, Mississippi. His parents were blessed
with 9 Children in total (7 boys and 2 girls). His parents and family members
would later learn that Julius did not like his first name, and insisted on being
called by his Middle name "Maurice," which persisted for the remainder of his
life.
In 1943 the "Smiths" arrived in Wichita, Kansas and established membership at St.
Mark United Methodist Church.
Except for a short venture to Texas, the greater part of Maurice's life was spent in
Wichita, Kansas. After a long career as a Welder, he retired from Texaco -El
Dorado, Kansas.
Maurice was educated in the Wichita Public School system, attending Dunbar
Elementary, Mathewson Junior High, and East High School, where he met and
would later marry his high school sweetheart.
On June 10, 1962 Maurice and Lois Lorene Beadles were united in marriage. They
raised 2 sons, Gregory and Jeffery.
Maurice and Lois loved to entertain, especially family and any guest a family
member would bring, invited or not. They hosted many cookouts and pool
parties. The sounds from those occasions were vibrant as Family, Friends of
Family, Laughter, Music, and more food than should be allowed at one function,
completed the Family Affair. In fact, the menu would sometimes include fish or
fowl or some other wild game he caught during one of his hunting/fishing
excursions. He knew how to prepare it and the Family knew how to Eat it Up!
Maurice enjoyed 4 key hobbies: Fishing, Hunting, Golf and The Stock Market!
Arguably, Golf held the number one spot. He loved the game, and in true
Maurice fashion, he had the equipment and gadgets to support his "little" hobby.
Speak to his Nephew, Gary Crooms if you want true Maurice Golf stories.
Maurice is preceded in death by wife Lois; son Jeffery; 5 brothers (Leonard Jr,
Ralph, George "Curry", Cleo, and Leon); and 2 Sisters (Gwendolyn and Willa). Left
to cherish his memory is Son Gregory Smith; Grandchildren Kahala, Jayse and
Zorrah, all of Kalispell, Montana; Brother Eugene (Betty); Sisters-in-Law, Pearline
Smith and Ida Mae Smith, Wichita, KS. And it would be impossible to list all the
Nieces/Nephews and other relatives and friends who loved and will miss him
dearly.