SHERELL MARIE SMITH-LYNCH

Sherell Marie Smith-Lynch was born in Kansas City, Kansas on December 11, 1926 as the sixth child of James and Hazel Nance. She was raised in the Armourdale area of Kansas City, Kansas and attended schools in the Kansas City, Kansas school district.  She was later employed at Olsen’s egg plant for several years.  Sherell attended Psyche Pate’s modeling school and became one of the first black fashion models in the greater   Kansas City area, taking the social scene by storm. Most of the clothing and hats she modeled were made specifically for her.  Her finesse and demeanor put her in a class of her own. Throughout her lifetime she was well versed on the latest styles and was always well-dressed and accessorized. She was an active member of the Joi De Vivre Girls, a well known social club which sponsored social activities and offered scholarships and gifts to high school graduates.

Sherell was always a very loving, kind, caring and generous woman, especially with family, whether providing financial or emotional support or lending clothing to a teenage niece for proms or special occasions.  Though she never had biological children her sisters and brother had plenty to share. And share they did. She was always there for her nieces and nephews, she would step in when parents were sick, take them shopping or pile them all in an old station wagon and go to the drive-in movie.

She was famous in the family for making authentic homemade tacos for the whole bunch.  Whatever the need she was always lovingly there.

Sherell moved to Los Angeles, California in the mid 1960’s where she worked in the clothing industry for many years as a buyer and operating a small shop in the garment district.  She later went to work as an Administrative Assistant in a law firm called TroyGould and eventually retired from there.  While in Los Angeles, she met and married Curtis Lynch in 1993.  They were faithful and very active members of Second Baptist Church until his death in 2006.  While in Los Angeles, she also raised a god-daughter from infancy (9 months old), Sunita Bali- Williams with whom she remained very close her entire life.

After her husband Curtis’s death in 2006 Sherell moved back to Kansas City, Kansas to be near family. She became a faithful member of the Rising Star Baptist Church. She was truly a God-fearing woman who knew and loved the Lord. She was affectionately called “Granny” by the church pastor and first lady as he referred to her as his Kansas City grandmother and she lovingly called him her grandson. Other members affectionately called her Auntie. Her health began to fail in 2022.

Sherell Marie Smith-Lynch departed this life very peacefully the morning of May 31st, at Providence Place Care Facility where she had been a resident since the fall of 2023. In addition to her husband, her parents and five siblings all preceded her in death.  She leaves to cherish her loving memory, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, as well as her goddaughter Sunita.  Auntie Sherell will be missed by all.

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