Rick Smoot

CHARLESTON, Mo. — Richard Lee “Rick” Smoot, 60, died May 7, 2019, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.

Born June 10, 1958, in Sikeston, son of the late Billy Neal Smoot and Patsy Jane Cherry Smoot, he had lived in the Gravel Ridge Community of Mississippi County his entire life where he a member and deacon at the Gravel Ridge Baptist Church until its closing. At that time, he and his family became members of the First Baptist Church in Charleston where he served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher and was member of the church choir. A 1976 graduate of Charlesotn High School, he worked with his father in the family farming operation. He then became employed with Delta Growers Association at the fertilizer operation in East Prairie until going to work at Gates Rubber Co., where he was employed from 1984 until 2006. In 2006, he became employed with River Bend Ag at New Madrid where he was employed at the time of his death. He coached numerous programs for youth in the Charleston Little League programs, Charleston Jr. Babe Ruth and Junior Legion Ball.  

On March 30, 1978, he married Deborah Kay Smotherman, who survives of the home.

Also surviving is one son, Jordan Ray Smoot of Jackson; and one brother, Walter Raymond “Butch” Smoot of Charleston. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Dustin Lee Smoot; and two brothers, Kevin Wayne Smoot and Bernard Neal Smoot.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time at noon Friday at the First Baptist Church in Charleston. The Rev. George Nite, pastor, will officiate.

Burial will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery near Charleston under the direction of the McMikle Funeral Home.

 Pallbearers will be: Josh Miller, Joe McCloskey, Darryl McCann, Donial McCann, Eddie Barnhill and Steve McClanahan.

Online condolences maybe shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com.