Janet Gail Smith, 71, died Jan. 22, 2009 in Raytown.</p><p>She was born Oct. 2, 1938 in Willow Springs the only child of Merritt and Loula Mae Smith. She spent her formative years in the Merritt Smith ancestral home at 503 S. Miller St., Lee’s Summit. Janet graduated from Lee’s Summit High School and Central Missouri Teacher’s College in Warrensburg.</p><p>Her first teaching position was at Southwood Elementary School in Raytown. Janet met and married Gordon Stahl in 1959. Their son Jeff Ware Stahl was born. Janet and Gordon divorced; she later married Terry DeFraties. </p><p>They had a son, Jim Ware DeFraties. Janet returned to teaching kindergarten, elementary and junior high in Raytown, Lee’s Summit and Martin City before retiring many years later.</p><p>Always interested in horses, Janet became a long-standing member of the Carriage and Driving Society of Greater Kansas City and even served as president. </p><p>Janet will be lovingly remembered for her kind heart, sweet nature and generous spirit by her numerous friends, neighbors and family, including her two sons, Jeff (Suzanne) Stahl, Jim (Crystal) DeFraties; their children; many cousins; and her loving partner, Lloyd Campbell, with who she lived with in her last few months.</p><p>Visitation will be from 5 to 7 Jan. 28 at Langsford Funeral Home with a short service at 7 p.m. Internment will be in the Lee’s Summit Cemetery near her parents in early spring at Janet’s request.</p><p>Memorials are suggested to the Cariage and Driving Society of Greater Kansas City.</p><p>(Arrangements by: Langsford Funeral Home, 115 S.W. Third St., Lee’s Summit, MO 64063; 816-524-3700)