Missin' Momma

My mom passed away on her 48th wedding anniversary - October 7, 2020. My dad lost his soul-mate. Sweethearts in high school. The only person he's ever known. To say it was a shock is an understatment. My heart yearns to call and talk to her, to hear her voice. Oh, how I miss you momma. I'll never again have that go-to person to help me with the wording on applications, or to help me remember that one recipe she loved to make.

Merleta Martha Anthis, a retired book-keeper and long-time resident of Rose Hill, Kansas died unexpectedly on October 7, 2020 at the age of 66 while on vacation in Branson. Merleta was born in Enid, Oklahoma on January 22, 1954 to Merlin Smith Sr. and Evelyn Smith. She graduated Enid High School in 1972 and held various jobs throughout her lifetime. On October 7, 1972, she married her long-time friend and love of her life, Tim Anthis. Over the next ten years, they had five children together. They lived and ministered in Cashion, Oklahoma before moving to Rose Hill in 1984. She graduated from Wichita Area Technical College in 2002 with an associate’s degree in Computer Information Systems. Merleta was a devoted wife, mom, grandma, sister, and friend. She enjoyed sewing and quilting in her she-shed, as well as shopping, collecting lots of stuff, and traveling. Over the years she had fun threatening to sell her house to visit each child’s home and stay awhile at each stop. She was known for her beans and dumplings, baked beans, relish trays, and homemade ice cream at many family gatherings and her daily trips to Sonic, using only her special skinny straws. She will be deeply missed by her family, her friends, and all who knew her. Merleta is survived by her brother, J. David Smith; husband Tim Anthis, her children: Jeremy Anthis (wife Shannon), Acacia Anthis, Sarah Moore, Ben Anthis (wife Ashley), and Lindsay Drake (husband Nick); her twelve grandchildren: Jadyn Anthis; Jacob, Aaron, Jolene, and Josh Moore; Landon, Hudson, Keaton, and Savannah Anthis; Kaitlyn, Peyton, and Cooper Drake. The visitation will be held from 12:30 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 17, 2020 at Living Word Christian Church, Derby, Kansas, with memorial celebration to follow at 2:00 p.m. Minister David Burke will be officiating. Private family burial will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for memorial contributions to be made to Prairie View Christian Camp, P.O. Box 1004, Arkansas City, KS 67005 and/or Living Word Christian Church, 201 N. Derby St. Derby, KS 67037.

I am left in this world with the hope that you are in a better place now and that you are worshipping at the feet of Jesus. You were always trying to be a better wife, a better mother, a better daughter, a better friend… and you were. You were THE BEST mama! You left us with so many life lessons, so many recipes of our favorite meals, so many beautiful memories, and unconditional love. You left us so many pieces of yourself but you also took a piece of each of us with you. I am wondering if we will ever get that piece back again. Or you are keeping it for the day we see each other again? Even if we get it before then, we will never be whole again until we see you and know for sure that you’re doing great up there, just like you did down here. I have so many things to say to you, but if only I could see you one last time, for a second at least, I wouldn’t spend our time on words, I would just hug you tight. I'm going to miss you mama.