Chester Smith's Obituary
Chester Monroe Smith, son of James William and Rebecca Delilah (Copley) Smith was born February 1, 1923 near Seymour in Webster County, Missouri. He departed this life Wednesday, April 21, 2010 in Seymour at the age of eighty-seven years, two months and twenty days. On September 8, 1942 he was united in marriage to Ruby Faye Dodson, and to this union three sons were born. Together, Monroe and Ruby have shared over sixty-seven wonderful years.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a great-granddaughter, Hayley Burke; a sister, Velda Mingus; three brothers, Reeho “Red”, Johnny, and Berlin Smith.
Monroe is survived by his loving wife, Ruby, of the home; his sons, Jerry Smith and his wife, JoEllen, of Washington, Illinois, Joe Dean Smith and his wife, Eugenie Norma, of Shiloh, Illinois, and Jackie Wayne Smith and his wife, Kathy, of Las Vegas, Nevada; seven grandchildren, Jill, Stephanie, Jessica, Jennifer, Joe, Jr., Stuart A., and Jeff; fifteen great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law, Claude Mingus, of Seymour, Missouri; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and many friends.
He grew up in the Seymour area and graduated from Seymour High School in the Class of 1940 and married Ruby in 1942. He served with the United States Army from 1943 to 1946 during World War II. Following the service he returned to Seymour and he and Ruby lovingly raised their sons. He attended college for a year and began his career as a rural mail carrier. He retired from the postal service December 1, 1978, and then worked with Paul Carpenter doing electrical work for several years.
Monroe had accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior in the early1950’s and was a member of the Seymour First Baptist Church. He was also a member of the Seymour I.O.O.F. Lodge as long as it was active and the Wilson-Alexander American Legion Post 306 in Seymour for 56 years.
He was a people person, always enjoying spending time with his family, friends, and co-workers. He had a keen sense of humor and loved telling his grandchildren and other children wild stories in such a way that they believed them whether they were true or not.
Monroe was a kind and loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and uncle, and was a caring and neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and accomplishments and will cherish all the wonderful memories he created for his family and many friends.
Services are 11:00 A.M. Saturday, April 24, 2010 in the Seymour First Baptist Church with Revs Mitchell Wright and R.J. Adrain officiating. Burial is in Seymour Masonic Cemetery under direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Seymour, Missouri.
Contributions may be made to the GSAF-Hunger Challenge in care of the funeral home at P.O. Box 366, Seymour, Missouri 65746.
Online condolences may be made at www.holmanhoweseymour.com
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