Lawrence E. “Smitty” Smith, 84, of De Soto died July 17, 2021, at Mercy Hospital Jefferson in Crystal City. Mr. Smith was retired from the Chrysler Corp. and was a member of the UAW. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He loved camping, fishing, model trains, World of Outlaw races, cars, and singing in bluegrass/gospel barbershop quartets. He and his wife, Joyce, enjoyed spending winters in the Mexican border town of Los Ebanos, Texas. Born May 22, 1937, in Poplar Bluff, he was the son of the late Everett and Lola (Dickerson) Smith.
He is survived by his wife: Joyce K. (Henderson) Smith of De Soto; four children: Larronce Yvette (Rick) Sampson of Park Hills, Rae Jean (Joe) Holmes of De Soto, Alvin Baldwin of Mount Vernon, Texas, and Kathy (Bob Kincaid) Sampson of De Soto; six grandchildren:
Christopher Myers, Cassie (Rikki) Davis, Steven (Sam) Missey, Jessica Smith, Everette Sampson and Rory Kincaid; several great-grandchildren; and his Shih Tzu, Holly.
He was preceded in death by his first wife: Laverne Smith; a brother: Harold (Brenda) Smith; and a paternal aunt: Etta Maddox.
Visitation is scheduled from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, July 20, at Dietrich-Mothershead Funeral Home, 220 N. Main, in De Soto. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 21, at the funeral home, officiated by the Rev. Stefenie Rustige. Burial is in the Woodlawn Cemetery in De Soto. Arrangements are under the direction of Dietrich-Mothershead Funeral Home.