Source Text:

Name: Reta Kay Smith
Birth Date: 25 Apr 1943
Birth Location:
Death Date: 28 Jul 1957 (aged 14)
Death Location:
Burial: Memphis Cemetery
City: Jefferson Township
County: Scotland County
State: Missouri
Country: USA
Memorial ID: 77560019

Occupation: Student
MO d/c 27150
RETA SMITH, 14, MEMPHIS IS CRASH VICTIM SUNDAYA 14-year-old girl was killed and three other young people were injured Sunday evening at 6:40 when the 1957 Mercury sedan in which they were riding overturned while traveling at a high rate of speed on Route 15, near Greensburg. The car broke off one tree, glanced off another and came to rest at the base of a third.Killed was Reta Kay Smith, 14, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Lee Smith of near Memphis.Injured were:Charles Lee Smith, 17, a brother of the dead girl and driver of the car: dislocated hip; condition good.Janet Kay Montgomery, 14, possible skull fracture and chest injuries, condition fair.James Max Montgomery, 15, facial lacerations and shock; condition satisfactory.The injured are patients in Kirksville Osteopathic hospital.According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, the car was traveling north on Route 15, about two-tenths of a mile from the junction with Route W. The car, apparently going at a terriffic [sic] speed, left the road on a slight curve, ran off the left shoulder for about 250 feet and sheered off a tree at the ground. The car then glanced off a second tree and came to a halt after it had literally wrapped itself around a third tree.It is believed the Smith girl was killed instantly.The youths had planned to attend the Christian Endeavor, a youth gathering, at 7 and had taken a ride before starting for the Memphis Christian Church.Rita [sic] Kay Smith was graduated from the 8th grade last spring. She was a member of the Christian Church and was active in the Sunday School and in 4-H work. Surviving are the parents; a brother, Charles Lee, and, grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles D. Miller and Walter Smith, Memphis.Funeral services were held at two Wednesday afternoon in Memphis.The Gorin Argus, Gorin, Missouri • Thu, Aug 1, 1957, Page 1, Column 6

Family Members
Parents
Roy Lee Smith 1912–2009
Mauretta Mildred Miller Smith 1913–2009