Visitation for Julee Anette Hinz Smith, 69, Lawrence, will be 2pm Saturday, November 23, 2024 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, followed by a memorial service at 3pm. Private inurnment will be at Lancaster Cemetery, Lancaster, Kanas.
Julee passed away Saturday, November 16, 2024 at her home surrounded by her family. She was born a twin on April 7, 1955 in Atchison, Kansas to Clarence E. and Dixie L. Boyles Hinz.
Julee graduated from Lawrence High School in 1973 where she was a varsity cheerleader and homecoming queen attendant. She later attended Salina Vocational School where she majored in Commercial Art and graduated in 1977. She married in 1983 and later divorced.
She worked in the banking industry over many years at several institutions in Lawrence and Topeka, including University National Bank, Columbia Savings Association, Douglas County Treasurer’s Office, Mercantile Bank, Commerce Bank and Great American Bank retiring after 25 years there as a loan administrator.
Julee was an active member of Velocity Church in Lawrence. As a steadfast Christian she was devoted to strengthening her personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Julee had many friends among her co-workers and fellow church members who knew her as an especially sweet, unpretentious and sincere person. While she was also a very private person, she was a kind soul who touched everyone she knew.
Survivors include her son, Joel H. Smith, Lawrence; her mother, Dixie Kinkaid, Lawrence; her sister, Janet Hinz Hall, Lawrence; her twin brother Michael (Jana) Hinz, Lawrence; nephews Jon-Michael Hall, Lawrence and Wyatt Hinz, Hawthorne, CA. She was preceded in death by her father Clarence Hinz.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to the Ocular Melanoma Foundation (www.ocularmelanoma.org).
Very nice gal from a good family . Always pleasant to everyone . Her dad was just the best . Great classmate as was her brother Mike . She’ll be missed . RIP
Julee was such a sweet caring person. I always enjoyed being around her and seeing that bright smiling face. I feel very blessed for having known her. My sincere condolences to all of Julee’s family.
I met Julie at Presbyterian church camp when we were children. We instantly became friends and then later Julie moved to Lawrence. I look forward to finding this sweet sister in the great cloud of witnesses. Sorry we had such little time here on earth.
Growing up, I remember the trips to visit Julee’s family. It was always an exciting time for me to see my cousins Julee and her brother Mike and sister Janet. I remember trying to hide with Mike hoping my parents would leave me there to stay! Julee will always be in my heart and memories.
I lived just down the block from Julee and Mike. Mike was a fellow LHS gymnast and our top gymnast of the Sophomore class and Julee worked with me at University State Bank. She’s the sweetest… and a great employee. Being neighbors my dad took us to the VFW pool in the summers, along with Ruth Ann Hunt who was a good friend of Julee’s. I’ll never forget my dad about having a wreck always turning around to look at those girls as he was telling his jokes on the way. Julee, what a cutie! What a sweet giggle.
She was the nicest person and enjoyed working with her. Drew the best Fred Flintstone ever.
As a fellow cancer fighter, Julee kept up on my fight too. I wish we’d bonded over other things more but it’s the ultimate bond to be sisters in Christ. I’ll miss her smiling, welcoming face and generous hugs at the Velocity door on Sundays. She’s praising at the feet of Jesus and someday I’ll get to join her—both of us healed and whole.
Julee was a ray of sunshine. She made thousands of people feel more welcome and loved at church. The impact she had on our community is indescribable.
My sincere condolences to Dixie, Joel, and family in the passing of your sweet Julee.
I knew her from Velocity Church and always felt very blessed every time she greeted me upon entering church. She had a ready smile and was such a gentle soul.
May happy memories of Julee sustain you all in the days ahead.
Cynthia
I love the description “unpretentious.” That was Julie to a Tee. A warm and wonderful human with a beautiful smile. She’ll be missed.
Many of my most cherished childhood memories are of times I was with Julee. She was so fun and had the most wonderful laugh ever. Probably not our proudest moment, but I remember how hard we laughed the time we sat in our grandmother’s upstairs bedroom having a burping contest. I think Julee won! I am so sad at her loss; she will be forever missed.
My cherished memory of Julee is the time she was visiting when I lived in Atchison and she spent the entire evening helping me memorize something for my church. She was always so kind and loving and never made me feel like the annoying cousin I am sure I was. World is shining less brightly without her.
Julee you were always a sweet person.I know God has another angel.Our prayers go out to all your family.One day,we will have a great class reunion in Heaven.
Dixie and family. I’m so sorry for your loss. I knew Julee from church. She was always upbeat and smiling. I looked forward to seeing her. She has been and will be greatly missed.
Oh sweet Julee! You were such a joy, and your smile and hugs always made our day, no matter what was going on! You were the epitome of strength and grace. Rest easy sweet friend, until we meet in Glory. To Julee’s family, we are so sorry for your loss. She will be greatly missed, but never forgotten.