Muriel Faye (Grogan) Smith was born to Marion Benton and Opal Marie Grogan on Aug 10, 1941, at their home in Rolla, Mo. She joined her beloved husband of almost 55 years on June 7, 2016, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Mo. Harold worked hard to provide Muriel with a comfortable, well-built home here on earth. They now reside in the heavenly home God prepared just for them.
Muriel grew up in Yukon, Mo., and attended grade school at Big Creek schoolhouse with her siblings and other children of the community. One of them was a curly-headed, energetic little fellow with a big smile and a bigger zest for life.
At 12 years old, Muriel said she was going to “marry Harold Smith, milk cows, and have a dozen kids.” Although he moved to the city after graduation, and it took two years for him to throw in the towel, marry him she did on Aug 15, 1959. Three kids in the first four years of marriage made her rethink the dozen kids. One good ole’ jersey, that provided milk for the family, made her rethink the milking cows. But she never did rethink the marriage to Harold Smith. Almost all who knew her, particularly her family, heard her words, “He’s my best friend.” or “Life began when I married him.”
They lived in the city for a few years and while there, Muriel worked a short time at White Castle. For the remainder of their lives, it was common for them to pick up White Castle burgers and bring home for supper when they visited St. Louis.
They moved back “home” to the country in 1969 and Muriel proved herself to be a cherished help-meet to her husband as a devoted homemaker. She was a “get ‘er done” kind of gal long before Larry the Cable Guy made it a household phrase. Some thought her impatient. Some thought her bossy. Some thought her too forthright and uncouth. And she was, at times, all those things. But everyone that knew her soon realized that she was simply, a well-organized, unpolished, hard-working, woman who didn’t believe in pulling punches. She kept a clean house, served thousands of home-cooked delicious meals, made clothing for her children, prepared for winter and hard times by canning endless quarts of garden produce, took care of the farm animals, and kept the babies smelling good and well fed. Too well feed it seems but then you have to consider how great a cook she was. The only thing she wasn’t good at was trying to hold down a job and be a homemaker according to the standard she set for herself. So Harold worked extra jobs to bring in the income it required for her to be a full-time homemaker. This was not a sacrifice she took for granted nor was she lazy in her role as she was the ultimate multi-tasker, working hard alongside her husband in every extra job he did. Together they farmed, cut and sold wood, picked up walnuts, washed those brown UPS trucks, remodeled homes and built 4 for themselves over the years.
Muriel attended church as a child but wasn’t dedicated to serving the Lord until after Harold was saved in 1974. She soon realized that “getting saved” and having a personal relationship with Christ was two different things. She struggled for a short time with his commitment to God as first in his life, as she had always held that place where he was concerned. As she matured in Christ she did the same and gladly accepted 2nd place. She became his teammate in Christ’s service as well. Muriel sang at many revival meetings, taught VBS , went on mission trips, cooked for church dinners, helped with fund raisers and spent hours petitioning the Lord for salvation, healing, direction and provision of needs for her family and friends. Separate from him she was a chaperone for Kanakuk kampers during the summer, the only “job” she said she ever loved and did so until health wouldn’t allow. She had few hobbies. Serving the Lord, her family and others left her little time for hobbies. However she did love going to garage sales, playing cards, cooking, watching the Cardinals and traveling. She enjoyed life to the fullest. Muriel exemplified the virtuous women in Proverbs 31.
Muriel was preceded in death by her husband, parents and infant twin brothers.
She is survived by her children and their spouses: Kenny and Leatha Smith, Sandy and Jackie Cooper and Sharon Smith; grandchildren and spouses, Gloria and Chris Waggoner, Scott and Amanda Smith, Travis and Sarah Cooper, Julie and Ben Friedman, Joshua and Jennifer Cooper, Kevin and Jessica Smith, Kayla and Nick Clinton, Christy and Cody Luckinbill, Derek Smith and Emily Smith; their great-grandchildren, Blake Smith, Devin Waggoner, Bethany Waggoner, Carson Smith, Joel Smith, Jedidiah Cooper, Joseph Friedman, Calvin Smith, Katie Jo Cooper, Belle Cooper, Whitney Smith, Samuel Luckinbill, Faith Smith, Emmett Clinton and Michael Friedman; one sister, Maye Jones and husband, John; one brother, Gary Grogan and wife Peggy; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Those who loved her will miss her all the days of their lives.
Funeral services were 10 a.m. Friday, June 10, 2016, at the Little Zion Baptist Church in Trask, Mo., under the direction of Yarber Mortuary, Willow Springs.
Condolences may be expressed at www.yarbermortuary.com.
PAID
