Belle Smith

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. — Matilda Belle Heppe Smith, 72, died July 4, 2019, at East Prairie Nursing Center. 

Born Dec. 31, 1946, in East Prairie, to the late McClellan Dewey Heppe and Lou Bertha Catherine Pearl Heppe, she had been a factory worker and a member of St. James General Baptist Church in East Prairie.                         

Survivors include: two sons, Jimbo (Marilyn) Taylor of East Prairie and Marty Schwartz (Mary Stranghoener) of St. Louis; one daughter, Erika (Aaron) Mattingly of Topeka, Kan.; two brothers, Charles Heppe of Bertrand and Earl Heppe of Essex; one grandchild and one step grandchild.

She was also preceded in death by 13 brothers and sisters.

Visitation was from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at Shelby Funeral Home in East Prairie, where services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday with David Dowdy and Jimmy Allen officiating.  

Burial will follow in East Prairie Memorial Park Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be: Bubby Gammons, Robert Carter, Bub Heppe and Jim Genaro.  Honorary pallbearer will be Steve Riggins.

Online condolences may be shared at www.ponderfuneralhome.com.