Laura Jo Smith

Laura Jo Smith of Jackson met her Lord and Savior Sunday, June 30, 2024. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family and her dog, Ruby, at her home in Jackson.

Laura Jo was born in Jackson to George Henry and Nellie Marie Schreiner Smith, the third of nine children. She grew up in Jackson and was a graduate of Jackson High School. After high school, she worked at the Jackson Hosiery Mill for over 10 years.

Laura Jo graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science in Education degree and started her ministry at New McKendree United Methodist Church. She earned an Associate in Christian Education degree in 1975. In 1977, Laura Jo was consecrated as a diaconal minister in the United Methodist Church and elected by the Missouri East Conference. In 1996, she stepped up unto the role of a deacon in full connection. Laura Jo served United Methodist churches in Jackson, Charleston and South St. Louis and Belleville, Illinois. Her emphasis was on education and youth ministry.

She moved back to Jackson when she retired. She returned to New McKendree UMC as a member and volunteered by helping wherever she could. Laura Jo was a member of the Mary-Martha Women’s Circle. She was also a member of P.E.O. Chapter DJ in Jackson.

Family left behind to remember Laura Jo are a sister, Kim Martin of Jackson; brother, Mark (Linda) Smith of St. Louis; and her beloved dog, Ruby. She leaves behind 40 nieces and nephews. Laura Jo didn't have children of her own, but she helped raise, love and nurture her siblings. She was a second mother to several of her nieces and nephews. Aurora, Maxwell, Ethan, Lauren, Casey, LaDonna, Laney and Bennett were her world, and she was theirs. Laura Jo had a special relationship with her beloved great-nephew, Ethan Pratt. Upon her retirement, she cared for him as her own until he went to school.

At every church she served, she left her love with the children and youth. Her life’s calling was to minister to, care for and teach the youth in whatever capacity she could. She loved living a lifetime of service for others.

Laura Jo was preceded in death by her parents; five brothers, Robert Neil, Garry Dean, Charles Lynn, George William and Dale Lee Smith; and one sister, Jean Ann Shepherd.

The family would like to thank Betty Henry for her dear friendship and providing communion once a month. Also, thanks to the staff and nurses from Mercy Hospice for providing excellent care and compassion for Laura Jo.

She wished to have no formal services. A celebration of life for family and friends will be held at a later date.

The family requests memorials be given to the Mary-Martha Circle at New McKendree United Methodist Church in Jackson or Mercy Hospice in Cape Girardeau.

The cremation of Laura Jo was personally handled by the staff at Crain Funeral Home.

I’D Write for You a Rainbow

If I could, I’d write for you a rainbow.

And splash it with all the colors of God.

And hang it in the window of your being.

So that each new God’s morning

Your eyes would open first to hope and promise.

If I could, I’d wipe away your tears

And hold you close forever in shalom.

But God never promised

I could write a rainbow.

Never promised I could suffer for you.

Only promised I could love you,

That I do.

Author: Ann Weems “Reaching for Rainbows”