Frank Albert Smith

Frank Smith
Frank Albert Smith, 86, formerly of Gibbs, MO, passed away Tuesday, January 5, 2010, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Mexico, MO. Born October 5, 1923 to Emin Virl and Margaret (Higgins) Smith in rural Macon County. He graduated from Mt. View High School in southern Missouri. He served his country during World War II from March of 1943 to January of 1946 before being honorably discharged. Frank was awarded three bronze campaign stars, a good conduct medal, the Bronze Star, and a combat infantry badge for his service.
After returning from the war, he worked for the Santa Fe Railroad before being appointed to the Postal Service as Postmaster serving Gibbs and Hurdland from May of 1950 to May of 1980. He also served as a crop adjuster for many years.
Frank was united in marriage to Virgie Truitt on September 20, 1956 in Miami, OK. Surviving are his wife, Virgie Smith; two sons, Bradley and wife Louise of Gibbs and Rusty and wife Gina of Kirksville; two daughters, Lynn and husband Wade Sorenson of Kirksville and Lori and husband David Patterson of Kirksville. He is also survived by seven beloved grandchildren; Daniel, Katie, and Sam Smith; Jake and Lew Smith; and Jessica and Emily Sorenson; three brothers, Richard Smith and wife Joy of Raymore, MO; Harold Smith of LaPlata and Joe Smith and wife Cathy of Lawson, MO; and one sister, Sarah Epperson of St. Clair, MO; two brothers-in-law, Herman Truitt and wife Vonda of Kirksville and Freddy Laird of LaPlata; one sister-in-law, Lovey Smith of Billings, MT; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Mary Lou Laird; two brothers, Jim Smith and Donald Smith; step-mother, Mildred Smith; three sisters-in-law, Pat Smith, Louise Smith, and Wanda Smith; and brother-in-law, Frankie Epperson.
Frank was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who loved spending time with his family, coon hunting, and passed his love of hunting on to his two sons and grandsons. He attended Brashear Community Bible Church before his failing health and was baptized June 10, 2007.
Memorial service will be held Sunday, January 10, 2010 at 4:00 p.m. at Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home with Pastor Shannon Perry officiating. Special musical selections will be “Go Rest High on That Mountain” and “Daddy’s Hands”. As was his request, Frank was cremated and inurment of his cremains will be at a later date in Parkview Memorial Gardens.
Honorary pallbearers will be Bobby Joe Smith, Doug Thomas, LaVerne Gerhold, Larry Billington, George Higgins, and David Stutsman.
Family will receive friends from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 10, 2010 at the
Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home
2100 E. Shepherd Ave.
Kirksville, MO 63501 660-665-2233
Memorials to Brashear Community Bible Church.