Obituary of Lori Smyser

Lori Beth Smyser, age 49 of Salisbury, MO, passed away Wednesday, April 22, 2020 at Boone Hospital, Columbia, MO.

Lori was the daughter of Phil and Sandi Smyser, Moberly, Mo.  She was born May 5, 1970 in Keene, NH.  When she was 3 years old the family moved to Lancaster, MO then a year later to Moberly, Mo where she grew up with her siblings.  She attended Moberly Public Schools and graduated from Moberly High School.  She later received her cosmetology license from Cosmetology Concepts Institute, Columbia, MO.

In 1988 Lori was married to Roger Johnson in Moberly.  They resided for some time in south Missouri with their two children, Haley Joanna and Cody Austin Johnson.  Haley now resides in Universal City, CA and Cody resides in Cairo, MO.  Lori had three grandchildren who she adored, Maliki, Boston and Sage.  Their special name for her was Mazzou.

Lori is survived by her parents; siblings, Shelly Easton, Phil Smyser II and Katie Hinkle; many cherished nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins and many awesome friends which her Facebook photos proudly displays.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Juanita and Payton Smyser and Frank and Irene Cota.

Lori loved to “tinker” and investigate, whether it was something mechanical, electronic or the plants she grew and researched.  She also spent a good deal of time searching out her family tree on both sides, becoming totally involved with the project.

She loved keeping up with her old friends and was extremely excited and instrumental in the planning of her MHS class of ’88 reunion.  She spent many hours of preparation for the event.  One of her former classmates referred to her as a “beautiful, positive, yet sassy force.” In her sister Shelly’s words, “my Seester (their nicknames for each other) always blazed her own trail.  This family will never feel the same without you.”

A memorial service in Lori's honor will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. at the funeral home.