Jesse Edward Smith was born Jan. 1, 1941, in Neosho, Mo., to Joseph N. Smith and Fern Adele (Vedder) Smith. Shortly after Jesse turned two years old, the family moved to a farm in Yukon, Mo., where Jesse was raised with his eight brothers and sisters.
Jesse died on April 2, 2019, at the Kabul Nursing Home in Cabool, Mo. He was 78 years old.
Jesse was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Harold Smith; and sister, Joyce Uptegrove.
He is survived by his wife, Katherine Lorene (Goodman) Smith of the home; his son, Danny Smith and wife, Brenda, of Summersville, Mo.; daughter, Vickie Smith and husband, Edward Kubicek, of College Station, Texas; daughter, Kelly Cochran and husband, Scott Cochran, of Springfield, Mo.; and daughter, Natasha Smith of Orlando, Fla.
Jesse was richly blessed with eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, Alyssa Smith of Vienna, Mo., Ashley (Smith) Collins, husband, Michael Collins, Dawson, Joseph and Miranda of Houston, Mo.; Allison Smith of Springfield, Mo.; Alaina Smith of Springfield, Mo.; Matthew Collins, wife Amber, and Brilynn, Hunter, and Ryder of College Station, Texas; Levi Collins, Haylie Burdette, Kacie and Kaden of Houston, Mo.; Zachary Cochran, wife Anna, Autumn and Audrey of Rogersville, Mo.; and Jordan Cochran, wife Sydney, and Oliver of Ozark, Mo.
Jesse is also survived by six siblings, Mary Daughtery of Diggins, Mo.; Garry Smith and wife, Barbara, of Monticello, Ark.; James Smith and wife, Marjorie, of Summersville, Mo.; Rees Smith and wife, Tammy, of Rogersville, Mo.; Alice Jett of St. Louis, Mo.; and Randy Smith of Niangua, Mo.. He is survived by many nieces and nephews too numerous to mention.
Coming from humble beginnings, Jesse graduated from Summersville High School, Summersville, Mo., class of 1960, and quickly became employed by United Parcel Service, where he served for 14 years. He and Katherine were united in marriage on Dec. 17, 1960, and eventually bought their small farm in Yukon, Mo., which they still own today. Jesse was the transportation director for the Licking Housing Authority, Licking, Mo., until his retirement in 2003.
Jesse became a Christian in 1974 and spent the remaining years of his life serving Christ and others. He attended church regularly and spent many hours volunteering his time to the service of his home church, Big Creek Church, Yukon, Mo., where he taught Sunday school and spent many hours building the new church facility. He loved singing and listening to gospel music, especially hymnal page 199. Jesse loved to travel and see beautiful places in America. He adored the majestic Rocky Mountains and often spent summer family vacations touring the western United States!
He was loved by all and will be deeply missed!
Services were 10 a.m. Friday, April 5, 2019, at Big Creek Church with Brother Gary Steelman and Pastor David Jett officiating. Burial was in Big Creek Cemetery under the direction of Evans Funeral Home. Pallbearers were Scott Cochran, Zachary Cochran, Jordan Cochran, Matthew Collins, Levi Collins and Michael Collins.
Memorials may be made to Big Creek Cemetery, in lieu of flowers.Â
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