Smith

Final rites for Roy Lee "Pokey" Smith, 27290 Osawatomie Rd., Paola, were held Tuesday in Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home.

Mr. Smith, 96, died Friday, June 25, 1993, in the emergency room at Miami County Hospital, Paola.

He was born Nov. 29, 1896, in Parker and his parents were John and Ellen Frances Henry Smith. He attended Parker Schools and later worked on the farm and the railroad.

He served two elistments with the U.S. Army during World War I.

From the 1920's until the 1940's, he farmed in the Parker community. In the late 1940's, he went to work as a road grader operator for the Linn County Road Department. After retiring in the early 1960's, he served as marshal for the city of Parker for 12 years.

At the time of his death, he was living with a daughter, Mary Zimmerman, rural Paola.

He and Mary Lucinda Tout were married April 16, 1921 in Paola. They were the parents of 13 children.

Among those preceding him in death were his wife; four sons, Robert, Richard, Wiley and an infant; two daughters, Wanda Clark and Lela Fay Smith; four brothers; four sisters; and two grandchildren.

Survivors include three sons, Junior Smith, Hamilton, Melvin Smith, Independence, Mo. and Wendell Smith, Osawatomie; three other daughters, Bettye Spector, Raytown, Mo., Rosalie Rues, Merriam and Evelyn Clearwater, Topeka; a brother, Irvin Smith, Simi Valley Calif.; a sister, Ada Van Buskirk, Colony; 38 grandchildren; 60 great-grandchildren; and eight great-great-children.

The Rev. Wayne Ova was the officiant. Pallbearers were Dennis Smith, Dale Smith, Donald Smith, Doug Smith, Gary Orr and Jim Byard. Burial was in Highland Cemetery at Parker.

A memorial has been established in his name to the Parker Senior Citizens.

Osawatomie Graphic, July 1, 1993

Submitted by David Smith