Emilie Bell Giles

Emilie Bell Giles, 68, of Leavenworth, Kan., died Sunday, Sept. 1,

2019, at her home. She was born

April 15,

1951, in Paris,

Texas, the daughter of Alvin and Emilie Cummings

Bell.

She was a woman of deep Christian faith and spent much of her life in service to others and her Lord Jesus Christ. She spent nearly 40 years in some form of involvement with Bible Study Fellowship International as a student, leader and children’s area coordinator. She was very active in the Methodist church.

She graduated as salutatorian from Prairie Grove High School in 1969. In 1973, she graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor of Science in Education with high honors. While in college, she was the honor pledge of her sorority, Chi Omega. Other memberships included Angel Flight, which represented the Air Force ROTC, Kappa Delta Pi, the honorary society for students in the College of Education, Order of Omega, which recognized the outstanding Greeks on campus and Mortar Board, an honor society recognizing scholarship and leadership on campus.

Throughout her life in Arkansas and Kansas, she was involved in P.E.O., Whittier Club, served on the House Corporation Boards of both Psi and Lambda Chapters of Chi Omega and many other charitable organizations.

She was an avid sports fan and loved the Jayhawks, the Razorbacks, the Chiefs and the Royals. But her greatest joy was cheering on her grandson, Liam, in his various activities.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Alvin and Emilie Cummings Bell and her in-laws, William and Dean Giles.

Survivors include her husband of 47 years, Donald “Don” C. Giles of the home; one daughter, Sara G. Smartt and husband, Jeremy K. Smartt, and one grandson, William “Liam” T. Smartt all of Escondido, Calif.; brotherin-law, Roger W. Giles and wife, Carolyn and daughter, Lilly all of Magnolia, Ark.

Memorial service was held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, at The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, 12720 Roe Avenue, Leawood, KS 66224.

Graveside service was at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 9, 2019, in the Prairie Grove Cemetery Pavilion in Prairie Grove, Ark.

Donations may be given in lieu of flowers to the following organizations: Bible Study Fellowship International at www.bsfinternational.org/support/give-to-bsf or The University of Kansas Cancer Center Research at kuendowment.org/Your-Gift/Areas-ofSupport. (When donating online use code 07936 to specify the donation reaches the KU Cancer Center.)

An online guest book is available at www.luginbuel.com.

Luginbuel Funeral Home of Prairie Grove was in charge of area arrangements.

Giles