Willie Smith

EAST PRAIRIE - Willie Ray Smith, 77, died at 6:15 a.m. May 4, 2004, at his home.

Born Jan. 2, 1927, in Portageville, son of the late John Samuel and Minnie Mae Caldwell Smith, he lived in Portageville before moving to East Prairie in 1960.

On July 18, 1960, at Charleston, he married Shirley Ann Skelton who survives of the home.

Other survivors include: one son, Jimmy Dale Smith of East Prairie; four daughters, Kathy Starkey of Fulton, Shirley Swan of Sikeston and Norma Jean Brewer and Peggy Sue Sprinkles of East Prairie; and 13 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two sons, Jerry Wayne Smith and Carl Ray Smith; two brothers, George Caldwell and Obie Caldwell; and one sister, Katherine King.

Visitation is from 11 a.m. Friday until service time at 2 p.m. at Shelby Funeral Home. Mike Johnson will officiate.

Burial will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery near Charleston.