Martha Jo SmithColorado Springs, CO

Martha Jo (Davolt) Smith, formerly of Hutchinson Kansas, joined her fellow Saints in the Kingdom of Christ on the morning of Monday, April 6th, 2026 in Colorado Springs, CO surrounded by four generations of her loving family. She was 82 years old.

Martha was born in McPherson, KS on February 2nd, 1944, the fifth of eleven children to parents Ervin and Gladys (Anderson) Davolt. After graduating from Wichita East High School in 1962 she continued her education at Baptist Bible College (now Mission University) in Springfield, MO, where she met the man who would become her devoted husband of 62 years, Eldon Ray Smith. Martha and Eldon were married on February 8th, 1964 at Wichita Baptist Tabernacle. They welcomed four children together—Anthony Ray, Ronnie Wilbur, Gregory Paul, and Kerri Jo; Martha took on her primary role as homemaker, a role at which she excelled by every standard (countless can testify to the exceptional quality of Martha’s cooking). Despite her time commitment and hard work maintaining a beautiful home and raising her family, she always made time for part time jobs, such as driving the school bus for the Hutchinson Public School District, and waitressing at Hickory Gables restaurant. Much of her time outside her vocations was dedicated to works of her indomitable faith at Westside Baptist Church, volunteering in Women’s Ministries, the Missions Board, and as a leader of the Awana Children’s Club, to name a few.

Those who knew Martha remember her as a brimming font of kindness, lightheartedness, patience, and positivity. Martha was always humming or singing a tune—often the latest hymn or bible song she had heard and gotten stuck in her head. She was a lifelong puzzler and game player for whom crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, bunko, bridge, and solitaire were lifelong favorites. Also lifelong and persistent was her devotion to her sports teams: The Chiefs, the Royals, and KU Men’s basketball hardly knew a more dedicated fan than Martha Smith. She was an avid collector of tea sets, and amassed an impressive stock of beautiful pots, cups, and plates over the years. There was always one set on a low shelf for the grandchildren to play with.

Above all, Martha was a loving mother, wife, grandmother, great-grandmother, and an unwavering servant of God. Before her passing, Martha told family and friends she was ready to meet her Savior, and we find comfort knowing she has received her eternal reward with Him in Heaven.

She is preceded in death by her brother, Ervin “Sonny” Davolt; her sisters, Bobbi (Davolt) Phelps, Mary (Davolt) Phelps, Helen (Davolt) Rowden, and Hazel Davolt; her great-granddaughter Rory Elizabeth Smith.

She is survived by her husband Eldon Ray Smith; sisters Betty (Davolt) Smarr, Jackie (Davolt) Brueser, and Kay (Davolt) Bender; brothers Vernon Davolt and Bruce Davolt; children Anthony Ray Smith (m. Ladawna Smith), Ronnie Wilbur Smith (m. Tami Mize Smith), Gregory Paul Smith (m. Laura Smith), and Kerri Jo (Smith) Raughton (m. Craig Raughton); twenty one grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Please join us in honoring Martha at her memorial service, which will take place at 11 am on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Westside Baptist Church (400 W. 12th St., Hutchinson, KS). Friends may call from 9:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Elliott Mortuary. Private family burial will take place in Fairlawn Burial Park, Hutchinson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Martha J. Smith Memorial Fund, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.  To benefit the Martha J. Smith Memorial Fund, please make checks payable to Elliott Mortuary.