In Remembrance Of
Lou Kindred
Loula Bethene Kindred, 99, passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her loved ones on February 24, 2026.
Lou is survived by her daughters and son-in-law, Carolyn Major of Smithville and Valerie McClellan and Bob McClellan of Akron, Ohio; by her grandchildren, Rhett Major of Smithville, Kara Major of London, England, Erin Maconachy and her husband Drew Maconachy of Akron, Ohio, and Kelsey McClellan of Saipan, as well as her honorary grandchildren Kristy and Logan MacPhail of Brooklyn, New York; and her great-grandchildren Liam, Margot and Maren Maconachy of Akron, Ohio. She is also survived by her sister, Nova Carolyn Corley, of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and nephew Emery Corley and family of St. Louis, Missouri.
Lou was born on October 17, 1926, to Virgil Layton Walker and Elizabeth Breckenridge Walker and was a lifelong resident of Smithville. She graduated from Smithville High School in 1944 and Central Missouri State Teacher’s College in Warrensburg in 1947. During college, Lou was active in, and president of, Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority, and made several lifelong friends. She attended Warrensburg with her best friend and first cousin, Carlida Breckenridge, later Wymore, of Smithville.
Following her graduation from college, she briefly taught in the Platte City public school district and later taught in the Smithville public school district for many years before retiring in the mid-1970s. She taught fifth grade at Smithville Elementary School for many years. After leaving Smithville Elementary, she taught at the old Smithville High School on Commercial Street, and later at the new high school which opened in 1969. She loved teaching and her students, keeping in contact with many of her students for life.
She met Collins Ford “Colonel” Kindred, who became the love of her life, in the late 1940s. Although Colonel was also a Smithville native, due to the age difference and her being a country girl and him a town boy, they did not meet until after he returned from serving in the United States Army in Europe during World War II.
Colonel and Lou married on June 11, 1949, later welcoming their daughters Carolyn and Valerie. Both Carolyn and Valerie have countless warm and funny stories about their parents over the years, stories of kindness, generosity, hard work and humor.
In addition to her teaching, Lou worked with Colonel to build the Chevrolet dealership and was very active in the community. She was a member of the Mid-Continent Public Library Board for many years, serving as its president for part of that time, and was instrumental in the designing and building of what is now the Smithville branch of the Mid-Continent Public Library. She was also involved in the precursor to the Smithville Chamber of Commerce and the Smithville Housing Authority, and a member of, among others, the Daughters of the American Revolution, the American Association of University Women, the Smithville Historical Society, the Alpha
Club (whose motto is “Knowledge is Power”), the Bridge Club, and a 75-year member of the Garland Chapter #287 of the Order of the Eastern Star.
Following her marriage to Colonel, she became a member of the Smithville First Christian Church, and was an incredibly dedicated Sunday School teacher, Elder and Trustee.
Lou and Colonel also travelled extensively and hosted many international visitors.
In addition to being a good wife, mother, and avid reader, all of her grandchildren have fond memories of Lou, including singing Christmas carols every holiday season with family and friends, her love of chocolate, and her fabulous culinary and quilting skills.
Lou was a lifelong lover of antiques, collectable plates and other treasures from the past and was often seen at auctions, estate sales and the antique districts of anywhere she visited. Her love of these is displayed throughout her home.
Along with Colonel prior to his passing, Lou was lovingly cared for by their many caregivers. The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude and thanks to the women who took excellent care of Lou and Colonel in their final years.
Funeral services for Lou will be held Monday, March 2 at 2:00 p.m. Visitation will be from 12:30 – 2:00 p.m., prior to the service at Smithville First Christian Church, Smithville, MO.
The burial will be held at the Community of Smithville Memorial Cemetery in Smithville, MO.
Colonel Kindred, her husband, who passed away during COVID, will also be honored during the memorial service, since the family was unable to have a celebration of his life at that time.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Megan’s Paws and Claws, Wayside Waifs or Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care.
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Service Details
Community of Smithville Memorial Cemetery, Smithville, MO.
12:30-2:00 p.m. prior to the service at Smithville First Christian Church, Smithville, MO.
2:00 p.m. Monday, March 2, 2026 at Smithville First Christian Church, Smithville, MO.
Comments & condolences
14 comments
Joycelyn Tucker Burgo
Lou was a kind, compassionate, and knowledgeable soul. She welcomed and guided me when I was first appointed to the Mid-Contintnent Public Library Board in 2003 to represent Jackson County. Her leadership and avid support for libraries and literacy was inspiring and appreciated by the entire to library district. she will be missed but her legacy lives on in al she accomplished and the lives she touched.
Dr. Homer L. Williams, FAIA
On behalf of my parents and brothers I wish to offer our deepest sympathy to Lou’s family. I know that my parents were grateful for her and for Colonel’s friendship when they first located in Smithville. She will be missed by all who knew her.
Dick Wilding
What a great Lady! I had the privilege of working at the library that she was largely responsible for bringing into being. It was a delight to be in her presence,
She had a way of giving her opinion without ever offending, Lou was always welcoming and genuinely happy to meet me, I love the picture on the obituary. When I see that beautiful smile, it warms my heart, Lou and the Colonel were a great couple and I am so grateful for having them touch my life,
Paula Chiles
Our love is with you, Lou, and your family. We will never forget all the wonderful times we spent together. ❤️
Steven Potter
Mrs. Kindred was such a strong supporter of learning and libraries. I’m so happy I got to meet her and work with her. She made me a better librarian and a better person. Thank you for all you did to make our community a better place, Mrs Kindred!
Paula Chiles
We will always love you. Lou!
Jack Summers
Was so sorry to learn of Lou’s passing. My sincere sympathy to all the family. Lou and I entered 1st grade together on September 12, 1932., and went through 12 grades together, graduating in 1944… We spoke by phone quiet often until a couple of years ago.. She reminded me we were the last remaining members of the class of ’44, and wondered who would be last. Now we know, but what I do know she has now reunited with Colonel and they are together once again. Praise God!!
Since I now live in California, I cannot attend the celebration of life, but my thoughts will be there on March 2nd.
Peg Miller
Lou Kindred was my 5th grade and favorite teacher. She inspired us and made learning fun: diagramming sentences to master grammar, creating a notebook–one I still have today–of the 50 States, and studying the countries of Latin America.
Dan and Valerie Helm
Mrs. Kindred was one of the nicest persons. Our sympathy to the family. she had the best smile.
Erin E Maconachy
Lou was the very best grandmother, and great grandmother. Her cooking inspired traditions that span generations, her quilts brought us all comfort over the years, and she was always genuinely excited to see us, or catch up on the phone. Her warm smile will be missed, but she left us with a lifetime of strong history and happy memories.
Teresa Johnson
Such a beautiful and inspirational lady. Thank you for your groundwork, leadership, and unwavering dedication to ensuring that Mid-Continent Public Library is one of the finest library systems in the country. I will always remember the kindness and encouragement you so generously shared with me.
Rest in peace, Mrs. Kindred
Teresa Johnson
Kristina Anderson
I don’t have the right words, but I want you to know that you are all in my thoughts and that I’m here praying for peace and comfort for your family.
Shari Copeland
It was a joy and a blessing to have gotten to know Lou. We had some good laughs and some serious talks that I will never forget. What a wonderful lady and a great family…
Brad Preston
Lou set a great example for so many, and shared her heart of gold with everyone she knew. Rest in Peace 🙏