Mareese "Reesie" Smits

Mareese “Reesie” D. Smits, age 86 of Knoxville, PA  passed away peacefully at home on Friday, June 17, 2022. Born on March 27, 1936 in Paris, KY, she was the daughter of the late Dock D. and Nina (Barr) Downing. She taught youth group at a Paris Baptist Church in Kentucky and she was also a member of the church's choir. Not long after, she was a home health care nurse, then she worked at a beauty shop and then she became a homemaker; spending her time with family and friends. Mareese enjoyed gardening, oftentimes messing around in her yard and flower beds. She also loved drinking coffee at Lee’s Country Kitchen in Osceola, PA and attending the Valley View Assembly of God Church, where she was a member. Mareese is survived by her partner of 28 years, Charles H. Lingle of Knoxville, PA; son, Mark Yazell of Carlisle, KY; daughter, Kendra Philpot of FL; adopted children, Catherine of Knoxville, PA, Cheryl of Westfield, NY, David of Ellicott City, MD, and Jim Cutaiar of Nelson, PA; special dog-friends, "Pietje," Diamond, and Mattie; 7 grandchildren; 5 adopted grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; sister, Nellie Jones of Paris, KY; and brother, Doug Downing of Paris, KY. She was preceded in death by both her parents; son, John Yazell; first husband, Kenneth Yazell and second husband Adrian Smits and brother, Jackie Downing of FL. On Saturday, July 2, 2022, 11:00 AM a graveside service will be held at the Riverside Cemetery in Knoxville, PA with Pastor John Hardt officiating. Visitation will be held at the Lusk-McFarland Funeral Home, 1120 Main St., Paris, KY on Saturday, July 16th from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM.  A memorial service will be held immediately following at 12:00 PM with Pastor Russell Jones officiating. Burial will be in Paris Cemetery in Paris, KY. Memorial donations can be made to the Valley View Assembly of God Church, 207 Seeley St, Knoxville, PA. Arrangements are in the care of Kenyon Funeral Home, Inc. www.kenyonfuneralhome.com

In The Garden

I come to the garden alone,
While the dew is still on the roses;
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear,
The Son of God discloses.

​And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own,
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

​He speaks, and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing;
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.

​And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own,
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

I'd stay in the garden with Him
Tho' the night around me be falling;
But He bids me go; thro' the voice of woe,
His voice to me is calling.

​And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own,
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

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