Sherman L. Smith, son of the late Elzie “Cotton” Smith and Helen Coggins Smith was born on January 31, 1939 in Dexter, Missouri and departed this life on February 18, 2016 at his residence in Dexter at the age of 77.

Mr. Smith attended Liberty Hill General Baptist Church in Aid, Missouri.  He was a graduate of Dexter High School, served in the Army Reserve and was the owner of Smith’s Classic Car Auction and Smith Properties.  He was also the former publisher of the Stoddard County News, Dexter Daily Statesman and the Dunklin Democrat in Kennett.

He loved classic cars, golfing and fishing with friends.

On March 23, 1995, he was united in marriage to Connie Gaines in Paducah, Kentucky.  Mrs. Smith survives of the home.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Sherm Smith, Jr. and wife Cherie of Dexter, Missouri and Taylor Smith of the home; by one brother, James “Cotton” Smith of Poplar Bluff, Missouri; by two sisters, Edna Harget Smith of Chesapeake Bay, Virginia and Donna Kendrick of Poplar Bluff, Missouri; and by one grandson, Jack Smith.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Charles Smith, Larry Smith and John G. Smith.

Friends may call at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Sunday, February 21, 2016 from 12:00 Noon to 2:30 P.M. 

Funeral services will be conducted in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel on Sunday, February 21, 2016 at 2:30 P.M. with Rev. Joe Payne officiating. 

Interment will follow in the Hill Cemetery in rural Bloomfield, Missouri.

The family requests that memorials be made to the Stoddard County Children’s Home Memorial Tribute Fund, P. O. Box 164, Dexter, Missouri 63841 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P. O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, Tennessee 38101-9908.