Shala Michelle Smith, 44, passed away January 8, 2022.

She was born September 23, 1977 in Dodge City, the daughter of Michael Mariche and Annette Blea Smith.

A longtime area resident she was a Corrections Counselor II at Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility. She was confirmed into the Catholic Faith at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Larned.

Shala enjoyed spending time at home with her dog Piper, and reading. Trying new craft beers with her sisters was also a favorite past time of hers. She was an avid Chiefs and Shockers fan and never missed any of her kid's life events. Most of all she was a huge family person and her kids and grandkids meant the world to her.

She married Jon B. Smith. He passed away January 8, 2022.

Survivors include: mother, Annette (James "Bub") Smith, Grove, Oklahoma; father, Michael (Abbie) Mariche, Dodge City; two sons, Dalton (Shelby) Bright, Manhattan, Andrew Bright, Wichita; two daughters, Kelciey Bright, Larned, Aarika (Logan) Hamm, Wichita; five brothers, Tyrone (Cristy) Mariche, Dodge City, Matthew Mariche, Dodge City, Michael Mariche, Denver, Colorado, Tyler Smith, Larned, Chase Smith, Manhattan; four sisters, Tamara Mariche, Great Bend, Cherise Mariche, Great Bend, Brianne Smith, Wichita, Jodi Smith, Phoenix, Arizona; three grandchildren, Kyler Adams, Kali Adams, and Blakely Hamm.

She was preceded in death by: her son, Carver Smith, grandparents, Tom and Helen Perez, and her aunt, JoAnn Sanchez.

Funeral will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 15, 2022 at Larned United Methodist Church with Pastor Lucas Chavez and Pastor Ryan Webster presiding. Service will be viewable via Facebook Live at www.facebook.com/beckwithmortuary. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday, January 14, 2022 at Beckwith Mortuary, Larned, with family present from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Burial will be in Larned Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to the Shala and Carver Smith Memorial Fund in care of Beckwith Mortuary, PO Box 477, Larned, Kansas 67550.