Ernest E. Smith Sr. (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Ernest Everett Smith, Sr., son of Harry Wilbert and Gertrude Elizabeth Jones Smith, was born February 28, 1937, near Lebanon, Missouri. He departed this life Sunday, October 18, 2015, in Lebanon Nursing and Rehabilitation South, in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of seventy-eight years, seven months, and twenty-one days.
In 1958, he was united in marriage to Judy Ann Rhoden, and to this union one daughter and five sons were born.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Judy, on October 23, 1993; a son, Jeffery Smith; and several brothers and sisters.
Ernest is survived by four sons, Ernest E. “Matt” Smith, Jr., and his wife, Victoria, of Fredericktown, Missouri, Steve Smith, and his wife, Cindy, of Lebanon, Missouri, Kenny Smith, of Richland, Missouri, and Gary Smith, and his wife, Bobbi, of Lebanon, Missouri; a daughter, Tammy Kile, of Centralia, Missouri; twenty-two grandchildren; a number of great-grandchildren; a brother, Clyde Smith, of Lebanon, Missouri; four sisters, Gertrude Sullivan, of the State of Colorado, Nellie Hayes, of Clarksburg, Missouri, Alice Lawson, and Maxine Smith, both of Lebanon, Missouri; a number of nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
He was born and raised in the Lebanon, Missouri area. After he and Judy were married, they made their home in the Lebanon community, and lovingly raised their family. Early in his life, Ernest worked for the Coca-Cola Bottling Company in Lebanon for a few years. He then was employed by the Durham Company for a number of years.
Ernest had established his own personal relationship with his Lord and Savior, and followed the Baptist faith.
In his spare time he enjoyed planting and caring for a large garden every year. His family was very important to him and he always enjoyed having time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Ernest was a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and know that he will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by all those who knew and loved him.
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