James Vernon Smith Sr.

Mr. James Vernon Smith Sr., 83, of Holland, Mo., went to be with his Heavenly Father Wednesday, May 14, 2014.

He was born in Ripley, Miss., Jan. 21, 1931, to Hines and Rebecca Jane Smith.

He was owner/operator, with his son, of James V. Smith & Son, Inc.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Victoria Ray; a brother, Bobby Hines Smith; a grandson James David Moore; and a son-in-law Wayne Bunch.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Alda Jean Smith of the home;

One brother Richard Gene Smith and wife Ella Faye of Blytheville;

One sister, Vera Lou Mitchell of Memphis;

Four daughters, Kathy Smith Young of Steele, Mo., Debbie Ann Bunch of Blytheville, Jeanette Lott and husband Terry of Holland, Mo., and Annette Orchard and husband Tony of Blytheville;

One son James Vernon Smith Jr., and his wife, Tracy, of Holland, Mo.;

Nine grandchildrena, Amy Inman and husband, Randy, of Steele, Mo., Terri Ann Hattenhauer and husband, Lynn, of Holland, Mo., Raymond Danny Moore and wife, Lyndee, of Blytheville, Robert Vernon Young and Amanda Rorie of Holland, Mo., James Robert (J. R.) Young of Huffman, Ark., James Vernon (Trey) Smith III and wife, Robyne, of Caruthersville, Mo., Matthew, Michael and Mark Smith of Holland, Mo;

Ten great-grandchildren, Zachary, Landon and Addison Inman, Welsey and McKenize Young, Elizabeth and MacKynzie Smith, Lauran Moore, Macklin Young,

and Aubrey Hattenhauer; and

Many nieces, nephews, and friends.

He loved spending time with his wife, Alda Jean, and their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He had a passion for working which included farming, bulldozing and excavating. In his younger years he started his business with a logging and sawmill operation where he cleared and developed. He enjoyed being outside, barbequing, crappie fishing, squirrel and bird hunting, and was a great water skier. He was a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and also the New York Yankees. He was a strong man with a gentle soul.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday, May 19, 2014, in the Cobb Funeral Home Chapel with Don Tims Jr. officiating. A visitation will be held at the funeral home Sunday, May 18, 2014 between 3 and 5 p.m. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.cobbfuneralhome.com