OVERBROOK, Kan. – Peggy Ellen (Martin) Smith, 68, of Overbrook, Kan., died Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Lawrence, Kan., surrounded by loved ones. She was born Feb. 6, 1958, in Topeka, Kan., the daughter of Walter “Walt” Martin and Sharon Thurber.
She graduated from Lyndon High School with the class of 1976.
On April 15, 1978, Peggy was united in marriage to Steven Smith, in Overbrook, at the United Methodist Church. They recently celebrated 48 years of loving marriage with one another. Over those 48 years, they enjoyed traveling, many old-time-type festivals, and participating in many tractor pulls.
She loved animals, including Highland cows and Longhorns, and children, and every person she encountered. She had the biggest heart and a firecracker soul.
Peggy worked as a medical coder at Lawrence General Surgery. She loved her job and the people she worked with, and they often went on excursions together, including camping in a cabin, even in the winter.
Peggy was a member of the Eastern Star Fidelity No. 38 in Carbondale, Kan., and the American Academy of Professional Coders, serving in several positions, including president.
She was preceded in death by her father, Walt Martin; mom, Patricia Martin; father-in-law, Virgil Smith Jr.; and mother-in-law, Ruth Smith.
She is survived by her loving husband, Steven Smith, and Lola the pup, of the home; a daughter, Randi Lynn Ross and her husband, Sam, Overbrook; grandson, Francis Ross, Overbrook; mother, Sharon Thurber and her husband, Ken Ward, Lake Stevens, Wash.; sister, Julia Downs, Wichita, Kan.; six brothers, Alan Martin and his wife, Lucinda, Overland Park, Kan., Stuart Martin and his wife, Susan, Omaha, Neb., Danny Sowers, Gate, Okla., Lloyd Sowers and his wife, Kathy, Burlingame, Kan., Alva Sowers and his wife, Donna, Overbrook, and David Sowers and his wife, Cathy, Overbrook; two sisters-in-law, Joyce Spencer and her husband, Roger, of Alta Vista, Kan., and Vicki Linder and her husband, Keith, Topeka; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
To celebrate Peggy’s life, a visitation will be held 6-8 p.m. Friday, June 26, at Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, 730 Western Heights Dr., Overbrook. A private family inurnment will occur at Clinton Cemetery at a later date.
Memorial contributions can be made to Dog Ranch Rescue and sent in care of Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, PO Box 268, Overbrook, KS 66524. Condolences can be left at www.lamb-roberts.com.
