REED SMITH

August 21, 2018

LIBERAL- Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Verdella Freewill Baptist Church for Reed Smith, 98, Liberal, who died Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018. Burial wlil be at Barton City Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of Konantz Warden Funeral Home, Lamar.

Visitation will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, at the church.

Donations may be made to the Barton City Cemetery.

The obituary may be viewed and condolences sent online at www.konantzwarden.com.

Survivors include his children, Earl Smith and wife Donna, Lita Smith-Munn and husband Bobby, Sammy Joe Smith and wife Glenda, Dale Smith and wife Lisa and Loretta Hoover and husband Lyle; 19 grandchildren; 47 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Beth Rader and one brother, Howard Smith and wife Joanna.

He was preceded in death by his wife, son JR, daughter Rita Pulliam, baby brother Jim and sisters Irma, Marie, Sue and Marlyn.

Mr. Smith was born Feb. 24, 1920, in Liberal, to James and Verla (Reed) Smith. He attended Hannon School and then graduated in 1937 from Liberal High School. He married Wilma Jackman on May 14, 1939, in Carterville and to this union seven children were born. He and his wife were also foster parents to over 25 children.

Mr. Smith was a farmer, raising cattle, baling hay and helping his son-in-laws with their hay at the age of 80 plus years. He worked at McNally Engineering for over 32 years as a truck driver, foundry worker, storeroom clerk and as a first aid attendant. He retired in 1982 to open a Deutz Tractor dealership with his son-in-law, Phillip Munn. He also helped build Liberal Elevator.

He was of the Baptist faith and was a deacon. He also served Central Western Association of Free Baptist in multiple roles. He was always a willing servant to do God’s will and was a faithful witness and prayer warrior.