Irene Smith

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Elsie Irene Smith, 89, of Sikeston died Saturday, Feb. 19, 2005, at St. John's Mercy Medical Center in St. Louis.

She was born Aug. 24, 1915, at Point Pleasant, Mo., daughter of Thomas and Laura Owen Richey. She and H. Linn Smith Jr. were married Aug. 21, 1949, at Sikeston. He died in April 1985.

Smith received a master's degree in elementary education from Southeast Missouri State University. She had been a first-grade teacher at Lee Hunter and Southeast Elementary. She was a member of First Baptist Church and Sikeston Retired Teachers Association.

Survivors include three sons, Richard "Dick" Smith of Kansas City, Mo., Thomas Smith of Dallas, Texas, Dr. Stephen Smith of Chesterfield, Mo.; a sister, Estelle Wrona of Detroit, Mich.; nine grandchildren; and a great-grandson.

She was preceded in death by nine brothers and sisters.

Friends may call at Blanchard Funeral Chapel from 5 to 8 p.m. today.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church, with Dr. Rick Ramsey and the Rev. David Jackson officiating. Burial will be in Sikeston City Cemetery.