Arlice G. Smith

Arlice G. Smith, 89, of Oregon, Wisconsin, and formerly of Parsons, Kansas, passed away, June 10, 2026, at The Beehive Homes of Oregon.

Arlice was a loving wife and mother, and generous sister, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She also spent most of her life devoted to her social work responsibilities at the Parsons State Hospital and Training Center. She had stated that since her high school years she had always wanted to be in a “profession that offered opportunities to be of service” and to those who knew and worked alongside her, it was clear that she truly found her calling. She listened with the warmth of her heart and extended compassion to all that she met. In spite of her family’s encouragement to retire, she would continue her service to others late into her 70’s. She still found time to share her love of sewing, cooking (as mom’s and grandma’s do), and traveling to see all her grandchildren’s sports, theatre and music programs.

She was born on December 29, 1936, to Benjamin Arthur and Crewe (Megison) Gregory in Tampa, Florida. As a young girl, she grew up and attended school in Tampa, graduating from Academy of the Holy Names. Following high school, Arlice attended the University of Georgia, the University of Kentucky, and later, the University of Kansas, earning a Master’s in Social Work, commuting between Lawrence and Parsons for the requisite two years.

On September 5, 1957, Arlice and William Jack Smith were united in marriage at the First Christian Church in Tampa, Florida. The couple made their home in Parsons in 1963, where they were both members of the First Christian Church. She started a nursery school at St. John’s Episcopal Church, in 1965 and later began working as an elementary school teacher for the USD 503 school district for over four years in her early career. In 1973, she began her work as a social worker for the Parsons State Hospital and Training Center, retiring in 2014 after 41 years of service.

Arlice’s greatest joy was found in spending time with friends and family. She also loved getting visits, cards and phone calls from them after she moved to Wisconsin. When she wasn’t engaged in the goings on of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she would often direct your attention to the beauty she saw outside in the clouds, trees and birds. Upon visits with her, if you were lucky enough to be sitting beside her, she would always be the first to take your hand and hold it, letting you know that you were loved and exactly where you were supposed to be.

She is survived by her son, Elliott Gregory Smith and his wife, Melissa, of Monona, Wisconsin, and their children Ian Smith (Sophia) and great-grandson Jax Halstead Smith, llaina Smith (Bonnie Erickson), and Isabel Decelle (Jonathan); and her daughter, Shirlene Bungo and her husband, Michael, of Palm Coast, FL, and their daughters, Tayler Bungo (William Colón) and great-grandson Sonny Colón, and Caitlin Greatrex (Sean) and great-grandson Rhodes Greatrex; her sister’s (Dr. Arlene Gregory) children, Shirlice Spence (Edgar) (three sons), Greg Spence (Laura) (four daughters), and Christine Hammersmith (Mike); her brother-in-law, Ronald T. Smith and his wife, Iris, and their son, Jarrett Smith (Diana) (two sons).

She was preceded in death by her husband, William Jack Smith, on August 2, 2024, and her sister, Dr. Arlene Gregory, November 16, 2024.

Visitation with the family will be at 10:00 AM with the memorial service beginning at 11:00 AM on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons, Kansas with the Rev Jennifer Dawson officiating. A private committal will be at a later time with the immediate family.

Memorials are suggested to the First Christian Church, 1500 S 29th Street, Parsons, KS 67357 or your local Second Harvest food bank. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.

Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.

“To grow in one’s ability to give and receive love to one’s fellow man is to me the goal of life.” Arlice G. Smith