Jerry Smith
Jerry Emerson Smith was born Sept. 25, 1943, in Cleveland, Tenn. to Jason Emerson and Velma Louise (Mull) Smith. He passed away in Van Buren, Ark. on Sept. 14, 2019, at the age of 75.
He is survived by his wife, Beverly, of the home; his daughters, Becky Lynn Burgy and husband, Scott, of Bakersfield, Calif., Bridget Dill and husband, Ryan, of Keota and Jerika Seagraves and husband, William, of Carthage, Miss.; his only son, Jason Smith and wife, Marilyn, of Keota; grandchildren, DeeDra Darneal, Shania Haven Smith, Creed Garrett Smith, Jagger Zade Haven Dill, Annika Rhian Haven Dill, Anistyn Blyss Haven Dill, Brystal Essynce Haven Seagraves, Bryxton Rockwell Haven Seagraves and Bryka Everlee Haven Seagraves; one great-granddaughter, Zaylee Marie Haven Darneal; a verbally adopted daughter and granddaughter, Elizabeth Wann and Angela Lessley; his sisters, Princess Bookout of Bakersfield, Calif., MaryAnne Gary of Ringgold, Ga.; One brother-in-law, Kenny Adams and wife, Becky, of Keota; one niece, Georgia Lynn Peck of Bakersfield, Calif. and nephews, Mike Gary of Social Circle, Ga., Jeff Gary of Ringgold, Ga., Trevor Adams of Keota, Kendall Adams of Keota and Greg Bookout of Bakersfield, Calif.
Jerry was preceded in death by his daughter, Krystal Haven Smith; his mom and dad, Velma and Jason Smith; one sister, Barbara Rohrback; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Bill and Ivy Adams and brothers-in-law, Carl Bookout and Jim Gary.
Jerry was one of four children: three girls and one boy, needless to say his mother thought the sun rose and set in him. Ask his sisters, they’d tell you he was an ornery little boy and as most of ya’ll know, not much changed the older he got. At the age of 12, Jerry went to Oregon to Aunt Ethel and Uncle Poley’s while his parents sold out in Tennessee to make the move to Bakersfield, Calif. Five years later, at the age of 17, his dad signed to allow him to join the Service and become a Marine. Shortly after, he was sent off into the Vietnam War, where he proudly served his Country. A few years later, his aunt and uncle made the move to Norman. He soon followed them and took a job of selling insurance.
His job brought him to Stigler. There he met Beverly (who became his wife of nearly 47 years) who was working as a waitress at Don’s Restaurant. He would always joke about how she got rich from him always coming for food and coffee and always leaving those “big” tips. Needless to say it didn’t take long for them to realize they were soulmates. They were married June 8, 1973. They were blessed with four wonderful children, Jason, Bridget, Krystal and Jerika. Jerry was a truck driver for Armour Foods for several years until the company moved to Kansas. After this, he worked at the Superette and drove a school bus, where he made lots of friends. He began driving a truck for Hickory Springs. During this time, Jerry and Beverly suffered great heartache when they lost their daughter, Krystal, at the age of 15. He worked for Hickory until having to medically retire in 2001. He drove well over 1,000,000 miles accident free.
After retirement, Jerry and Beverly enjoyed fishing, camping and going to game after game to cheer on their kids, but always making sure he was there for church at least three times a week. One of his favorite pastimes was always making sure his lawn looked as if it was a golf course. Jerry had a servant’s heart, always helping those around him no matter what the need was.
On Sept. 14, 2019, just shy of his 76th birthday, Jerry entered his heavenly home leaving our homes with a great void. Words cannot express how loved and how much he will be sorely missed.
Funeral services were at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019, at Star Baptist Church in Keota with Bro. William Seagraves, Bro. Larry Harris and Bro. Rick McClaskey officiating.
A poem was read by Bro. Scott Welch. Interment followed at Keota City Cemetery under the direction of Mallory-Martin Funeral Home and Crematory of Stigler.
Viewing was from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday at Mallory Chapel in Keota.
Pallbearers were Ryan Dill, William Seagraves, Jagger Dill, Creed Smith, Jeff Gary and Mike Gary.
Honorary pallbearers were Kenny Adams, Kendall Adams, Trevor Adams, Norman Lee Davis, Jr., Jimmy Dill and John Elliot.
Military honors by Stigler VFW Post #4446.