FRANKLIN
Lucy Chesser-Smith, 96, passed away on Friday, July 16, 2021 at Otterbein Franklin SeniorLife Community. She moved to Otterbein in 2015. She was a longtime resident of Franklin.
Lucy was born on July 21, 1924 in Bauxite, Arkansas to Albert Dickson, Sr. and Margarite (Rowland) Dickson. She married Kenneth Chesser on December 23, 1944. They shared 51 wonderful years together with family and friends traveling, golfing, and being with their “Diners Outers” group. He preceded her in passing on December 2, 1995. Lucy married J. Wesley Smith on March 7, 1997 in Helotes, Texas where they resided for the next 10 years. They too did a lot of traveling. He preceded her in passing on June 16, 2011. Kenneth and Wesley were best friends who attended high school together in Oakland City, Indiana. They went on to serve in the military together.
She is survived by her daughter, Suszanne Klotzsche (Jim); grandchildren, Darin Klotzsche (Deann), Brad Klotzsche (Cari), Diana Rairdon (Chuck), Holly Miller; step-granddaughter, Kimme Salmon (Mike); great-grandchildren, Alec Corbin (Loren), Chad Rairdon, Kristina Rairdon, Nikita Klotzsche, Britney Klotzsche, Jayce Miller, Jacob Miller; great-great grandchildren, Grayson Corbin, Oliver Corbin, Jack Corbin; and step-great-grandson, Wesley Salmon; niece, Karla Basore and nephew, Brent Dickson.
Lucy was preceded in passing by her parents, Albert and Margarite; husbands, Kenneth and J. Wesley; brother, Albert Dickson, Jr; and step-sons, Larry Smith and David Smith and nephew, Trent Dickson and best friends, Marthetta Baker and Laura Burlingame.
Lucy spent most of her younger years traveling with her father who worked as a coal miner. She attended five high schools in five states before graduating in Anna, Illinois in 1942. Lucy traveled to all 50 states.
She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Franklin College in 1957 and went on to receive her Master’s Degree from Indiana University. Lucy retired from Franklin Community Schools in 1981 where she worked for many years as a 5th grade teacher. She was loved by her former students and was often stopped and greeted while out with family and friends.
Lucy was a member of the Franklin Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star #439 and Indiana Retired Teachers Association, as well as the Delta Kappa Gamma and Tri Kappa sororities. She was a 50+ year member of Grace United Methodist Church. She was also an honorary member of the Hillview Country Club. Lucy was an avid I.U. Basketball fan. She enjoyed in later years, watching Golf on T.V.
Lucy was a spiritual person and her family was very important to her. She loved family get togethers and often talked about her large family now after only having one child.
The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff on Health Center 3 at Otterbein Franklin SeniorLife Community and Main Street Hospice for the loving care they gave to Lucy in her final days.
Rev. David Owens will conduct a celebration of life service on Wednesday, August 18, 2021 at 2:00p.m. at Flinn and Maguire Funeral Home, 2898 N. Morton Street (U.S. 31) Franklin, Indiana 46131. Visitation will be held from 11:00a.m. until time of service at 2:00p.m. at the funeral home. Inurnment will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery in Franklin.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to an organization of the donor’s choice.
Online condolences and other expressions of kindness are appreciated at www.flinnmaguire.net.
