Charles Smith

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Charles D. Smith, 69, died Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, at his home near Sikeston.

He was born Oct, 18, 1952, at Advance, Missouri, to James Charles and Dora Dixon Smith. On Oct. 28, 1988, he married Debra Jean Jones, who survives of the home.

In his younger years he worked as a carpenter and then went on to Bunny Bread in Cape Girardeau, and landed at American Freightways as a truck driver until he was forced into retirement. Charles loved spending time with his grandkids and being outdoors. He liked going to flea markets, fishing, rabbit hunting and going to the river banks when the water was low to see what he could find.

Also surviving are his children, Jamie Thompson of Illinois, Tjay (Kathy) Haynes of Sikeston, Crystal Smith of Arkansas, Jennifer (David) Backfisch of Sikeston and Jennifer Murphy of Arkansas; brother, Danny Smith of Cape Girardeau; three sisters, Joann Houch and Annie Lennard, both of Benton, Missouri, and Sharon Raines of Scott City; 16 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brother and three sisters.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the funeral hour Thursday at McMikle Funeral Home in Sikeston.

Funeral service is at 1 p.m. at the funeral home. Brother Steve Vester will officiate. Interment will follow in the Silent Hill Cemetery near Sikeston.

Pallbearers will be Scotty Raines, Jamie Raines, B.J. Smith, Eric Jones, Steve Sloan and Wally Jones. Honorary pallbearers will be Danny McSwain and Kenny Miller.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com.