Frances Louise (Brooks) Smith

Frances Louise Smith of Kansas City, Kansas passed away on May 27, 2026 at home, surrounded by family. She was born December 29, 1937 in Kansas City, Kansas to Lawrence Brooks Sr. and Lenora May (Watkins) Brooks. She spent her life devoted to her faith, family and community. She was married to Stewart Spencer and three children were born to this union: Franchiel, Harold and Marilyn. She later married Gilbert Smith and together they built a loving blended family.

Frances attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help and graduated from Bishop Ward High School in 1955. She earned her LPN at Crane Junior College in Chicago. She went on to earn her Associate in Arts in Health Care Administration from Kansas City Kansas Community College in 1984.  She graduated in 1986 with her Bachelor of Science degree in Allied Health at the University of Kansas.

Frances spent her early career working as a nurse and as a supervisor in nursing homes in the Kansas City area. In addition to being a nurse, she had a licensed home daycare and was a Mary Kay Consultant. Frances devoted her life to a motto she once heard, “work is love made visible.” She demonstrated this by continuing her career in nursing, and eventually retiring from, the Kansas State School for the Blind in 1999.

Outside of her profession, Frances tirelessly fulfilled her passion for helping people through a multitude of organizations. As a lifelong member of Our Lady and St. Rose Catholic Church, Frances sang in the choir and volunteered as a Eucharistic Minister for the sick and homebound.  She joined the Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary and became a member of the Father Joyce Finnigan Court #61, and Father Phillip Chapter #17 Fourth Degree Ladies of Grace. She served in many leadership roles within the organization including Grand Lady and Faithful Navigator.

Frances was also a mentor for Mother To Mother Ministry, which helped to build strong families in Wyandotte County. She was an “Angel” in the Gabriel Project, partnering with at-risk mothers. She was a Red Cross Nurse: staffing first aid stations, participating in blood pressure clinics and teaching CPR. She was especially touched to learn that one of her blind school students saved the life of his niece after learning the Heimlich Maneuver from “Nurse Fran.” Frances was also a volunteer for WISC, Wyandotte Interfaith Sponsoring Council, affecting positive changes in her community. She also worked as an Election Volunteer for years. All the while, she continued her nursing education receiving a certificate from the National Association of School Nurses for the Deaf. She also received a Certificate of Recognition from the State of Kansas, signed by the Governor, for years of Service and Dedication to the state.

Frances never gave up on her life of service. She continued to provide loving support to her faith community and her vastly growing family. Later in life, Frances enjoyed several pastimes. Just six months ago, she drove her own car, (during the daytime hours, of course) taking herself to her favorite places; Walmart and JC Penney to shop for treasures she’d give as gifts to her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and “herself”.  Weekday evenings included, Wheel of Fortune, a bowl of popcorn and a frozen yogurt bar, or a diet root beer. And of course, don’t forget Monday night bingo with her baby girl. Many of her favorite foods served at family gatherings over the years will be truly missed: her mother’s homemade rolls recipe, delicious fried catfish, well-seasoned greens and her famous homemade apple pie.

Frances instantly captured the hearts of many who met her with several stating, “she was like a mother to me”. She was known for her love of God and her kindness to others. She often reminded her family that, “God is a God of Order.” When loved ones asked her to pray for them, she kept all of their intentions in her “God Can”. Many “frog” figurines were displayed in her home, serving as a reminder of the acronym: F.R.O.G. (Fully Rely On God). Her personal philosophy was, “Material wealth can be stolen, but the riches buried in your soul can never be stolen.” In her retirement interview Frances was asked what message to send to her family and she replied “to love what they do and do it with passion.”

Frances was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 45 years, Gilbert Smith; her brother, William Brooks; her sisters, MaryAnn Brooks, Mattie Paris, Anna Marie (Albert) Nesbitt and Mary Smith-Blakey; and two great-grandchildren, Gabriel Jude Spencer and Kyra Faith Spencer Williams.

Frances is survived by her brother Lawrence Brooks Jr.; her children, Franchiel Nyakatura, Harold (Renee) Spencer and Marilyn Baker; her stepchildren, Sharon Smith, Cheryl Holder and Gilbert (Margaret) Smith Jr.; eleven grandchildren, LaFrances Nyakatura (Stephan Robinson), Samantha (Quincy) Tafoya, Paul Nyakatura, Ashley Baker, Amber Baker, Flora Nyakatura, Justin Baker, Sterling (Teresa) Spencer, Sophia Spencer, Erica (Isaac) Lipp and Skyler Spencer; twenty-one great-grand children; and a host of nieces, nephews and relatives who will cherish her memory including Frances’ special friends; Evalina Davidson (her best friend), Laura Heyer (long time co-worker), Mary Hawthorn (HS classmate) and Laleta Jones (childhood friend).

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