Robert E. Smith

Robert E. Smith, 86, of Luray, MO., passed away on Sunday, February 9, 2025, at the Scotland County Hospital in Memphis, MO., with his family by his side.

Robert Erwin Smith was born north of Luray on April 4, 1938, to Edwin E. and Edna Mae Benda Smith. When he was a teenager, his parents moved to south Missouri. He stayed in Luray and lived with his grandparents Charles and Emma Benda on their farm north of Luray. He helped his granddad with the farming. He is a 1956 graduate of Kahoka High School.

Robert met Betty Jo Webster in April of 1957, at Camp Leeper. On June 15, 1958, they were married at the First Baptist Church in Kahoka, MO. They were married for 61 years, Betty Jo preceded him January 19, 2020. Camp Leeper has always held a special place in his heart where he sits on the board and watched his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren attend the camp every year. He was a Deacon of Luray Baptist Church for several years where he is still an active member. He is an avid coin collector and has held the seat of President of the Keokuk Coin Club. He also had a love of collecting toy tractors and enjoyed being a member of the 2-cylinder tractor club where he drove his 1955 Super 88 Oliver Tractor with his friends.

Robert joined the Army Reserves in October of 1958, where he did basic training in Fort Leonard Wood and Fort Knox where he graduated training. He was an E7 drill sergeant, senior tank commander and worked as a mechanic he served for 27 years. He was a Color Guard in Parade of Champions and Old Settlers and also Posting of Colors. He worked at several jobs at Daniel Chevrolet Garage in Kahoka, Foot Mineral in Keokuk, State Highway Department, and Luray School District as a bus driver. He worked for the United States Postal Services for 25 years, retired in 2004. Robert looked forward every year to taking a family vacation to Branson and making fond memories. He enjoyed raising goats on the farm, they also was his family.

He is survived by his two daughters, Denise Brown and Diana (Mike) Barnes both of Luray, 6 grandchildren: Michelle Hess, Jason (Bambi) Brown, Nicholas Hooper, Justin Brown, Heather (Obadiah) Sprouse and Nessa (Keith) Smith. Great - grandchildren Drenda (Luke) Herring, Dereck, Delana and Drake Hess, Karah, Klayden and Kacen Brown, Damian, Harlianna, Davyanna Hooper, Macie Brown, Brennan Fuller, Brytin, Brea, Brylyn Wilson, Eloise Sprouse, Marissa, Malerie and Malayna Smith, 3 sisters: Carolyn (Harold Lee) Nelson, Patsy Smith and Sandra Moore and friend Linda Linkleman and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jo, his parents, his in – laws Royal and Elsie Webster, his brother, Ronald Smith, his great grandson, Luke Brown, and a special friend Jamie Mesecher.

Funeral services with full Military Rites will be accorded for Robert E. Smith will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at the Wilson & Triplett Funeral Home. Burial at the Combs Cemetery, Luray, MO. Pastor Mark Drummond will officiate. A visitation will be held Friday, February 14, 2025, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Wilson & Triplett Funeral Home. Memorials contributions in memory of Robert Smith are suggested to the American Legion Post #192. Condolences may be left for the family at www.wilsontriplett.com