Smith Center – Rose M. Sears, 87, passed away on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at the Smith County Memorial Hospital, Smith Center, KS.

Rose was born on August 12, 1937, in Jewell County, KS, the second daughter of Orville and Margarite (Duer) Tompkins. Rose Graduated from Portis High School in the class of 1955 where she had been a cheerleader for several years. In 1955 she was chosen as Miss Merry Christmas sponsored by Smith Center Chamber of Commerce. Rose worked in the café in Portis and for a family in Osborne before she was married. On August 30, 1959, she married Dwight Sears at the Assembly of God Church, Osborne, KS, with Rev. Hollis officiating. To this union they were blessed with three daughters, Beverly, Barbara, and Colleen. After they were married, she and Dwight moved to Austin, TX, where Dwight was stationed in the Air Force.

Rose was a quiet, loving, and caring person. She was known for telling good stories to her girls. She taught Sunday school, Bible school, helped in the nursery and, in the in and out Wednesday nights with the kids. Rose was a janitor for the Nazarene Church for 46 years. She also worked at the school as a dishwasher for several years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a daughter, Barbara Kuhlmann and a brother, Alvin Tompkins.

Rose is survived by her husband Dwight Sears of Smith Center; two daughters, Beverly Snavely of Smith Center and Colleen Bennett of Phillipsburg; two sisters, Ethel Belle (Derald) Sears of Smith Center, Vonda Tompkins of Osborne; two brothers, Burl (Judy) Tompkins and Edward (Fontella) Tompkins all of Osborne; two grandsons, Tony (Wendy) Kuhlmann of Salina and Justin Kuhlmann of Hays and eight step-grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, February 27, 2025, at Fairview Cemetery, Smith Center, KS, with Pastor Tom James officiating. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., with the family present to greet friends from 5-7 p.m. at All Faiths Funeral Chapel, 113 S. Madison St., Smith Center, KS 66967. The burial will take place in the Fairview Cemetery, Smith Center, KS. Memorials may be given to the Church of the Nazarene, Smith Center, KS, and can be sent in care of the funeral chapel.   

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