Don Smith

(From Ulmer Funeral Home)

Donald “Don” Ray Smith, Sr., 86, passed away Wednesday, July 19, 2023, in Joplin, Missouri. 

Don was born April 25, 1937, in Greenfield, Missouri to Carl Lincoln Smith and Ruby Ree (Patterson) Smith. He was a lifetime Carthage resident. 

Don worked for Colaw Filling Station, Brown Oil Company Station, Carthage Fire Department, and then Carthage Water and Electric for twenty-eight years. 

He loved to garden and take care of his yard. Don also enjoyed his grandkids and great grandkids very much. He was a member of Grace Pointe Church in Carthage. Don found joy in reading his Bible and was always ready to help regardless!

Don was united in marriage to Ella Mae Reynolds September 30, 1959, in Jasper, Missouri; she survives.

Don is survived by his wife, Ella Mae; three sons, Donald Ray Smith, Jr. (Angie), David Wayne Smith (Melissa), and Kenneth Dale Smith (Jennifer), all of Carthage, Missouri; ten grandchildren, Weston (Charlene), Justin (Alyssa), Landon, Salisha (James), Ethan (Ana), Adara, Enessa, Skylor, and Araya; three great grandchildren, Emersyn, Timothy, and June; one brother, Richard Smith (Sally) of Carthage, Missouri; one sister, Janice Smith of Greenfield, Missouri.

Don is preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Ruby Smith; two brothers, Robert and Kenneth Smith; one sister, Evelyn Vaughn; and two grandchildren, Shire and Asher.

Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, July 24, 2023, at Grace Pointe Assembly of God in Carthage, Missouri. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until service time. Burial will be at Diamond Cemetery in Diamond, Missouri.

Contributions may be made to Life Publishers International: Fire Bibles in care of Ulmer Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be made at www.ulmerfh.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of Ulmer Funeral Home.