Charles Clayton Smith

Charles C. ""Griese"" Smith, 90, of Poplar Bluff died Saturday, Aug. 7, 2010 at his residence.

Mr. Smith was born July 11, 1920 in Coon Island, Mo. and moved to Poplar Bluff at age 7. During his earlier years he worked for his father driving an oil truck. In 1941 Mr. Smith enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corp and served until the war ended in 1945. In 1948 he joined the U.S. Air Force where he retired in 1964. Mr. Smith then worked for and retired from the U.S. Forestry Service and Missouri Division of Youth Services.

On Feb. 14, 1975 he married Helen Bee Doty in Poplar Bluff. She survives.

Other survivors include three children, Charlie Smith and wife Sharon of Hot Spring, Ark., Kathy Vinyard and husband Frank of Cape Girardeau and Becky Hammond of St. Petersburg, Fla.; six step-children, Linda Gilmore and husband Virgil, Sandra Thomas and husband Gary, Karen Gutierrez and husband Marcus, Mary Dille and husband Jim, Cindy Benson and husband Randy and Diane Wadlington and husband Pete; 28 grandchildren, 50 great-grandchildren and 8 great-great-grandchildren.

His parents, William Clarence and Freda Pauline (Deaton) Smith, sisters, June Hunter and Mary Sue Proffer, brother, William ""Bill"" Smith and step-children, Charles Wayne Fischer and Janice Riels preceded him in death.

Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at First Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. Tuesday at First Baptist Church with Dr. William Vail officiating and Rev. Dennis Ward assisting. Burial will be at Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Poplar Bluff.

Memorial contributions may be made to the United Cancer Assistance Network (UCAN), 1419 Maud St., Poplar Bluff, Mo. 63901.

Family and friends may share an online condolence or memory at www.cotrellfuneralservice.com.

Cotrell Funeral Service of Poplar Bluff is in charge of the arrangements.