Earl Thomas Smith

Earl Thomas Smith was born on Nov. 10, 1934, to Simon Andrew and Clara Naney (Wake) Smith at Topaz. At the young age of 16, he drove his family to Washington to work in the harvest and timber. From there he grew to love traveling. On Oct. 22, 1953, he married Joyce Roper. To this union, two daughters were born, Ellen Kay and Rhonda Jo. Earl always loved working in the timber industry, from stave bolts and logging to sawmills. They moved around a lot, always looking for more or better jobs. His love of traveling led to a truck driving career. He met and married Kathy Leiber on Nov. 27, 1978. They continued truck driving for five more years, but the timber industry kept calling him, and he went back to it. He logged for several years and later bought and operated a sawmill as long as his health permitted. He was always a hard worker. Some things he enjoyed most were family vacations. He loved sitting around a campfire trying to get someone to race, play frisbee or talk hard times boring the grandkids! He was saved when he was 16 at a revival at Victory Chapel. He was baptized at a later date. He was currently attending Faith Chapel Church as long as his health permitted. He passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family. The family would like to thank Three Rivers Hospice for care and for letting the family keep him at home. Earl was preceded in death by three sisters and four brothers-in-law, Eunice and Pete Wheat, Velma and J.D. Williams, Vandon Easter, and Jeneita and Ross Fish. He is survived by his loving wife, Kathy, of 46 years; two daughters, Ellen Tate and husband, Nolan, and Rhonda Rodgers and husband, Dale; five grandchildren, Jannine Homer and husband, John, Nathan Goad and wife, April, Chris Rodgers and wife, Natalie, Mindy Bell and husband, Casey, and Rebecca Foster and husband, Ty; 10 great-grandchildren, Hannah VerPloeg and husband, Jamison, Kelsey Hoots and husband, Zach, Emily Goad, Gideon Foster, Eva Grace Foster, Wesson Foster, Abby Whittier, Drew Rodgers and wife, Michaela, Landon Rodgers and Jace Rodgers; four great-great-grandchildren, William VerPloeg, Rosalie VerPloeg, Halynn Rodgers and Kaison Rodgers; one sister, Juanita Easter; one brother, Don Smith and wife, Ann; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. Earl will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. Visitation for Earl Smith was held Friday, June 6, 2025, from 1-2 p.m. at Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home in Mountain Grove. Funeral services followed at 2 p.m. also at the funeral home, with Brother Bryan Holycross and Brother Keith Reese officiating. Song selections were “Farther Along,” “How Great Thou Art,” “If I Had To Do It All Over Again” and “My Way.” Those serving as pallbearers were Nathan Goad, Chris Rodgers, Drew Rodgers, Landon Rodgers, Jace Rodgers and John Homer. Burial was in the Vanzant Cemetery at Vanzant, under the direction of Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home of Mountain Grove. Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in care of the funeral home. Online condolences: www.craighurttfuneralhome.com.