Sybil Conn Smith died peacefully at home on December 13, 2021, at the age of 93. She was the wife of  the late Robert Lee Smith, the mother of Kathryn Denner (Charles Brooks) and Brian Smith (Pam  Merrell), and the sister of the late Robert “Sonny” Conn (Joyce), the late Max Conn (Ruby) and Sid Conn  (Elaine) of Atlanta and Thomas Conn (Billie Sue) of Nashville. 

Sybil was born in 1928. She was raised in a cotton mill village in Atlanta during the Great Depression. She  graduated high school and went to work at age 16. By the time she moved to St. Louis, she was  Secretary to the President of the First National Bank of Atlanta; in a different era, she might have ended  up running the bank herself. 

Sybil met her future husband Bob in 1956 when they were both vacationing in Daytona Beach, Florida.  He lived in St. Louis. He invited her to visit and accompany him to a Mizzou football game. Because she  was going “north,” Sybil bought a new wool suit to wear. . . in St. Louis. . . in early September. She  eventually got used to Midwest weather, although she never really learned to appreciate snow. 

Sybil and Bob married in May 1957. They soon moved to Jefferson County, Missouri, where Bob  practiced law. Sybil took charge of raising their daughter and son, who will forever be grateful for the  love and energy she put into motherhood. Bob often said he could not have become a successful lawyer  without Sybil’s help and support. After he retired, he and Sybil lived in St. Louis County, and several  years ago they moved to Friendship Village Retirement Community in Sunset Hills. At the time of Bob’s  death, they had been married for 63 happy years. 

Although her formal education ended with high school, Sybil was a lifelong learner who loved to read. Among many other interests, Sybil especially enjoyed tennis, traveling, Sanibel Island, Florida and  Jeopardy!  

Sybil had four younger brothers whom she adored. Although she had no sisters, she was blessed with  five wonderful sisters-in-law and a special cousin by marriage who became a best friend. She cherished her many lifelong friendships, from schoolmates in Atlanta to the “Cultured Hayshakers,” Women’s  Fellowship at St. Martin and St. Lucas Churches, tennis groups at Sunset and Concord Tennis Clubs, and  the “Walkers.” She enjoyed making new friends during her time at Friendship Village. 

Sybil was a true Southern Lady in the “Steel Magnolias” style. Her family and friends will miss her  tremendously and remember her with love.