Janith "Jani" Kay Smith

On Tuesday, January 14, 2025, Janith Kay Smith passed peacefully surrounded by family, at the age of 78, after a courageous three-year battle against cancer. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend, she also enlightened the lives of many other people. Her overwhelming faith along with a warm, positive, welcoming personality made everyone feel loved.

Jani Kay was born July 16, 1946, in Walla Walla, Washington to Eldon and Ruth Wyrick. She grew up in Walla Walla and graduated from Walla Walla High School in 1964, then attended Eastern Washington University where she graduated with a B.A. in Education and received her master’s in education from Walla Walla College. While attending College she met the love of her life “Chet” Lynn Smith and were married on May 6, 1967. Over the next 57 years they raised three boys: Todd Smith, Travis Smith, and Tye Jason Smith, her greatest love was for her family, her boys, her grandchildren, and all her nieces and nephews.

Jani Kay was a dedicated teacher in the Walla Walla School District for 38 years. Through her many years as a teacher, she absolutely loved enriching the minds and lives of so many Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd graders.

Throughout her life she enjoyed camping and boating with family and friends, gardening in her beautiful yard and entertaining friends around her pool. She enjoyed her rose garden, bird feeders and fishpond, and loved the beauty of sunsets. Later in life, she and her husband enjoyed traveling including amazing trips in the motorhome and cruises to Europe, Panama Canal, and Quebec.

Jani Kay is preceded in death by her parents, Eldon Wyrick, Bob Underwood, Ruth Underwood; sister, Lonice Wyrick; son, Tye Jason Smith. She is survived by her devoted husband, “Chet” Lynn Smith; sons, Todd and Travis; grandchildren, Kaden, Kyra, and Tyler; her brother Lon Wyrick.

A Memorial Service will be held at College Place Presbyterian Church on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at 11:00 AM. Friends and Family are invited to share in the cherished memories and honor her love of life, love, Faith, friendship, and happiness. She will be deeply missed but forever remembered.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Providence St. Mary Regional Cancer Center, College Place Presbyterian Church, and Walla Walla Community Hospice. Contributions may be made through Herring Groseclose Funeral Home 315 W Alder St, Walla Walla, WA 99362. Friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com.