Wilma "Jerri" Smith

Monday, August 1, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at Waters Funeral Chapel, 500 S. Main Street in Vandalia 63382.
Officiating will be: Rev. Mike Lewton.
Music provided by: Fay Miller - pianist.
Interment will be in the Vandalia Cemetery.
Pallbearers are nephews: Dan Kemp, Steve Kemp, Elmer Lee Kemp, Arthur Kemp, Dennis Hursman, Doug Hursman, Gary Eskew, Larry Eskew and Eric Eskew. Honorary pallbearers are grandchildren: Travis Bryant, LaDon Bryant, Tori Allen, Brian Jarvis, Mari Parrish and Tanner Lark.

Wilma "Jerri" (Eskew) Smith passed away at 1:20 a.m. on Friday, July 29, 2011 at the Tri-County Care Center in Vandalia, Missouri. "Jerri" grew up in the Vandalia area, attending schools here and joining the Baptist Church. She started working at the International Shoe Factory in Vandalia for several years. Then she worked at Bobby Brooks, Bridal Originals and other garment factories in the area. "Jerri" moved to Marshall with her husband Joe in December 1972, where she began working at the Marshall Rehabilitation Center until her retirement in 1997. She enjoyed her membership in the Order of the Eastern Star and being a Girl Scout Leader and cookie chairwoman for 20 years. In Marshall, she was a Missouri Valley College Parent and in the P.T.O. for 16 years. For her hobbies, she enjoyed crafts, ceramics, sewing, cooking and country music.

Born: August 9, 1935 in rural Vandalia, Missouri the daughter of John Clay and Helen Celeste (Arthur) Eskew.

Married: Joseph Harvey Smith on December 26, 1970 in Perry, Missouri; he preceded her in death on September 25, 2009.

Survivors include: three daughters, Toni A. and husband, Henry Bryant of rural Curryville, Missouri; Terri S. Eoff of Vandalia; Laura C. and husband, Eric Lark of Marshall, Missouri; one brother, Russell E. and wife, Mary Helen Eskew of Vandalia; two sisters, Edith and husband, Eugene Kemp of Davenport, Iowa; Phyllis and husband, Archie Hursman of Vandalia; one half-sister, Shirley Watson of Vandalia; six grandchildren: Travis and wife, Wendy Bryant; LaDon Bryant; Tori and Stan Allen; Brian Jarvis; Mari Parrish and Tanner Lark.

Preceded in death by: husband, Joe; one brother, Jimmy Wayne Eskew.

Memorials are encouraged to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 2001 S. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, Missouri 63131-3597.