James Daniel Smith, son of the late Albert James Smith and Mary Elizabeth Deardorff Smith was born on August 10, 1931 in Dexter, Missouri and departed this life on March 17, 2019 at Southeast Health Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Missouri at the age of 87 years.

Mr. Smith was a member of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), a former supervisor for Missouri Utilities/Union Electric.  He was a member of Dexter Masonic Lodge #532 where he was past Worshipful Master and a former member of the Missouri National  Guard. 

He was first united in marriage to Luella Beaird.  She preceded him in death on May 22, 1962.  He was then married to Amanda Lucretia Skelton on December 20, 1963 at Bloomfield.  Mrs. Smith survives of the home near Dexter. 

Besides his wife, Amanda, he is survived by one son, James Daniel Smith, Jr. (Julie) of St. Peters, MO; three daughters, Teresa Gail Eskew (Allen) of Layton, UT, Beverly Jo Kupinski (Earnest) of Orchard Park, NY and Susan Michele Melton (Charles) of Sulfolk, VA;by son-in-law, Charles Stratman of Topeka, KS;  one brother, Charles Albert Smith (Patrica) of Bernie, MO; four sisters, Gertie Irene Cross of Zion, IL, Altha Alberta Hawley-Corlew of Dexter, MO, Lena May Schweain of Fruitland, MO and Mary Ellen Stuart of Arnold, MO; by sister-in law, Martha Smith of O’Fallon, MO; by eleven grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren and many other family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one daughter, Joy Renee Stratman; one brother, Floyd Joe Smith; two sisters, Pearl Cleo Parham and Opal Faye Crites.

Friends may call at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel in Dexter on Tuesday, March 19, 2019 from 5:00 to 8:00pm, a Masonic Service will be conducted at 8:00 P.M., Tuesday evening. 

Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 A. M., Wednesday, March 20, 2019 with Rev. Michael Williams officiating. 

Interment will follow in the Hagy Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to:  St. Louis Children’s Hospital, 1 Children’s Place, St. Louis, Missouri 63110.

Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter in charge of all arrangements.