Source Text:
Birth: May 25, 1912
Scotland County
Missouri, USA
Death: Dec. 26, 2009
Memphis
Scotland County
Missouri, USA
Roy Lee Smith, 97, of Memphis, Missouri, died Saturday, December 26, 2009, at the Scotland County Care Center in Memphis.
He was born in the front room of the family farmhouse in rural Scotland County on May 25, 1912, to Walter and Icy Lilla Baker Smith and was a life long resident of Scotland County.
Roy Lee attended Conyers School and Memphis High School. He met his wife, Mauretta Mildred Miller, in high school and was later married to her in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 6, 1934. To this union, two children were born.
Roy Lee and Mauretta were the fifth generation living on the Smith Farm, three and a half miles east of Memphis. They raised Hereford cattle, hogs and grain. They moved to Memphis on April 1, 1960, while Roy Lee still continued to farm for as long as he was able. Several years ago he recalled, on his birth date, his father planted corn and it snowed.
He was a member of First Christian Church in Memphis, having served as deacon and elder. Roy Lee also took an active part in what is now FFA, with his son, Charles Lee. He also enjoyed football, basketball and traveling.
He is survived by a son, Charles Lee Smith and his wife, Donna, of Wright City, Missouri; two grandchildren: Nancy Jayne Smith of Columbia, Missouri and David Roy Smith and his wife, Missy, of Arbela, Missouri; their mother, Barbara Smith of Memphis, Missouri; three great-grandchildren, Bryce David Smith, Austin Lee Dale Smith and Carlee Dawn Smith, all of Arbela, Missouri.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 74 years; and a daughter, Reta Kay Smith.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, December 29, at the Memphis Funeral Home. Brother Jack Sumption officiated. Vocalists, Elaine Forrester, Angela Westhoff and Alisa Kigar were accompanied by Ann Luther.
Burial followed in the Memphis Cemetery. Casket bearers were David Roy Smith, Randy Harrison, Warren Miller, Lee Roy Garrison, Chris Montgomery, and Lloyd Erickson. Honorary bearers were Ronnie Baker, Leon Orton, Terry Fincher and Kenny Monroe.
Memorials may be given to the Memphis FFA Chapter and may be left at or mailed to Memphis Funeral Home, 378 South Market Street, Memphis, Missouri 63555.
Arrangements are under the direction of Memphis Funeral Home.
Memphis Democrat, December 31, 2009
Family links:
Spouse:
Mauretta Mildred Miller Smith (1913 - 2009)
Children:
Reta Kay Smith (1943 - 1957)
Burial:
Memphis Cemetery
Memphis
Scotland County
Missouri, USA
Source Facts:
birth, burial, children, death, location, marriage, name, parents
