Clarence Dale Smith, son of the late Louie Elbert Smith and Opal Snider Smith, was born in 1939 in Essex, Missouri, and departed this life on April 12, 2019, at the age of 79.


Mr. Smith grew up on his family farm in Essex, Missouri.  After graduating from Essex High School, he devoted his life to farming in Essex, Puxico, Dexter, and Dudley, Missouri.  Mr. Smith was a member of the First Baptist Church Dexter, Missouri, as well as a member of the Board of Directors at the Bank of Bloomfield/Mercantile Bank and the Southeast Co-op Board.  He enjoyed spending time duck hunting at the North Otter Slough Hunting Club in Dudley, Missouri.  Mr. Smith treasured the love of his family, the days farming beside his son, was generous to those in need, and lived life with the work ethic of a farmer.

On July 27, 1958, he married Linda Jean Hewitt in Essex, Missouri.  She survives at their home in Dexter, Missouri.

     Survivors include one daughter, Julie Smith Lancaster (Larry) of Dexter, Missouri; one son, Kip Colton Smith (Pamela) of Dexter, Missouri; by one sister, Wanda Smith Wethington, Essex, Missouri; also by three grandchildren, Lydia Lancaster, Columbus, OH, Ryan Lancaster (Allison), Fenton, Missouri, Sawyer Smith (Leeza Edmondson), Jackson, Mississippi/Columbia, Missouri, and two great grandchildren Charlotte and Gavin.  

He was preceded in death by one brother-in-law, Elzie Wethington.

Friends may call at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Monday, April 15, 2019 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 

Funeral services will then be conducted at the First Baptist Church in Dexter on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Mark Smith and Rev. Don Kennedy officiating. 

Interment will follow in the Dexter Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to 18 Fore Life, c/o Scott Kruse, 705 Laurie Circle, Dexter, Missouri 63841.

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