Obituary of Larry Joe Smith

Elder Larry Joe Smith, Sr. Funeral services for Elder Larry Joe Smith, Sr. of Foley, MO were held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 26, 2007 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home near Winfield, MO. Elder Paul Faulkner of St. Charles, MO officiated with burial in Whispering Winds Cemetery near Winfield. Serving as pallbearers were Larry Smith, Jr., Terry Smith, Wesley Smith, David Smith and Arnie Saylor. Elder Smith, 62, died Thursday evening, June 21, 2007 at St. Joseph Health Center in St. Charles, MO. Born May 29, 1945 in Elkville, IL, he was the son of Carl and Manetta Batteau Smith. He was a 1963 graduate of Carbondale High School in Carbondale, IL. He was united in marriage on December 5, 1964 to Elsie Jeanne Rains. This union was blessed with four children: Larry Joe, Jr., Terry Gene, Wesley Owen and David Edward. He was employed for 30 years as a railcar loader/dockworker for General Motors, until retiring in 1997. He was a former member of the Winfield-Foley Fire Department. He became ordained on November 14, 1981. For many years, he taught Sunday school and was pastor at several churches in the Missouri and Illinois areas. He was also a member of Northside Missionary Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his father, Carl Smith; one brother, Edward Dale Smith; one sister, Carla June Hayes; and one granddaughter, Miranda Lynn Smith. Survivors include his beloved wife of 42 years, Elsie Jeanne Smith of Foley; his mother, Manetta Smith of DeSoto, IL; four sons: Larry Joe Smith, Jr. and his wife, Frannie, of Troy, MO, Terry Gene Smith and his wife, Victoria, of Hawk Point, MO, Wesley Owen Smith and his wife, Cindi, and David Edward Smith, all of Foley; fifteen grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many, many friends. Visitation was held was held from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Monday, June 25, 2007 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home near Winfield, MO. Memorials may be made to the Charity of Donor's Choice in care of Carter-Ricks Funeral Home, 3838 East Highway 47, P.O. Box 253, Winfield, MO 63389.