Annette Smith

The "Flamingo Lady" is soaring at a higher altitude.
Annette Bea Smith, of Chillicothe, OH passed away August, 21, 2019 after a valiant battle with cancer.
Annette was born November 17, 1946 in Fostoria Ohio to Charles and Bernice (Basil) Rusch.  She is survived by her husband of 54 years, David Smith of Chillicothe; sister Janice (Rusch) Wilcox and husband Dave Wilcox; sons Kent and Brooke Smith; daughters-in-law Rosemary Smith and Carolina Choroco; grandchildren, Kolin, Hillary, Kurt, Patrick, Viviana, and Pablo; and two nieces, Beth and Susan Wilcox.  Among the 100's who call her friends are, Barb Forthofer, Ann Purdue, and her sorority girls, who were like sisters from other mothers.   Among the wildlife she cherished is Smokey, the feral cat she tamed.
Annette pursued her teaching degree at Bowling Green University. She graduated summa cum laude while raising the two busy boys and husband, Dave.  After getting the boys out of her hair, she received her masters' degree from Rio Grande University.  Her students will remember her as the elementary & special education teacher who taught them to read, a love for wildlife - specifically flamingos - and the fact that they can soar above their obstacles.
Dave and Annette were co-owners of radio station WFCB.  Co-Workers, friends and listeners know Annette as the "Queen Bee" of the B-94 family.
Annette's deep activism in the First Presbyterian Church and her community can be summed up by John Wesley's quote:  "Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, at all the times you can, as long as you ever can."  She was a deacon, played in the bell choir, served on Chillicothe's planning & zoning commissions.  Annette and Jan founded the Happy Stitchers' Knitting Club and she was a 54- year member of the Preceptor Epsilon Omega Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi sorority.
Who you are shows in the things you love.  Annette loved and collected flamingos, playing the bells, and all music, but especially Jimmy Buffet and her fellow parrot-heads.  She could be seen dancing at the Cross Keys on Thursday nights with the Goosetown Astonishers.  She was passionate about globetrotting with Dave, visiting all 50 states and circumnavigating the planet.  The teacher incorporated her travels in lesson plans - further inspiring students with a compassion for others – even donating pencils to needy children in South America.  She loved knitting and her knitting comrades.  The Happy Stitcher's afghans warm over 800 soldiers and veterans, here and abroad.  Hats and mittens endow children, friends and family around the world.  Above all, she loved her family and friends.
Her memorial service will be held 11:00 am Tuesday, August 27, 2019, at the First Presbyterian Church, Rev. Jason Link officiating.  Immediately following, we'll celebrate Annette's life at the Cross Keys Tavern.  Come, wearing your island attire, raise a glass or a mango margarita toast in tribute to our Annette Smith!
Visitation will be held 4-7 pm, Monday, August 26, 2019 at Haller Funeral Home & Crematory.
Memorial contributions may be made to the James Cancer Center, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 460 W. 10 th Ave., Columbus, OH 43210.
To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of
Annette Smith , please click here to visit our Sympathy Store .