Hurshel Smith

STURDIVANT, Mo. -- Hurshel E. "Gene" Smith, 79, of Sturdivant died Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2005, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born April 7, 1925, in Pyletown, Mo., son of William Francis and Minnie Kay Eaves Smith. He and Wanda Lee Gaines were married Nov. 22, 1948, in Piggott, Ark. She died Nov. 13, 1996. He and Ruby W. Swift Howard were married Nov. 27, 1997, at Sturdivant.

Smith was a retired truck driver and farmer. He was a member of Bridge Church of Christ and also attended Bethel Church near Advance, Mo., and a member of the Masonic Lodge in Bernie, Mo.

He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II.

Survivors include his wife; three sons, Brian, Ronald and Leon Smith, all of Dexter, Mo.; four stepdaughters, Phillis Robinett of Advance, Lecie Winberry of St. Louis, Shelia Owens of Jackson, Regina Householder of Cruger, Miss.; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; nine stepgrandchildren; and 17 great-stepgrandchildren.

He was preceded in death by six brothers and a sister.

Friends may call at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Dexter from 5 to 8 p.m. today. Masonic rites will be at 7.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Friday at the funeral home, with Ray Placher and Stan Dauck officiating. Burial will be in Armstead-Dowdy Cemetery near Dexter, with full military rites to be conducted.