CLAUDE R. SMITH

PUXICO -- Claude R. "Smitty" Smith, 59, died at the Memorial Southwest Hospital in Houston, Tuesday, Dec. 24, 1996. He was born Nov. 28, 1937, at Deventer, Mo., son of William and Beulah Smith.

He had been a resident of Conroe, Texas, and the Houston area with his wife Louise Brooks Smith since 1970. He was a pipefitter and a member of the Pipefitters Local 211. He was a member of the Puxico Masonic Lodge, the Scottish Rite in Bloomington, Ill., and the Shrine Temple Alamin in Corpus Cristi, Texas. he was a veteran of the U.S. Navy.

Surviving are his wife in Conroe; three sons, the Rev. Jeffery Smith of Pocahontas, Ill., and Timothy and Paul Smith, both of Puxico; a daughter, Jerri Ann Teichman of Chaffee; and 10 grandchildren.

Friends may call at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Puxico from 5 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, with Masonic services at 7.

Graveside funeral services and burial will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at the Zion Cemetery near Puxico, with the Rev. Jeffery Smith officiating.