Marion Edgar "Ed" Smith Jr., age 85, went to be with Jesus Christ on January 6, 2021 at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, MO, due to Alzheimer's and Covid-19. Ed was born December 18, 1935, in his grandmother's home in Illinois to the late Marion Edgar Smith Sr. and Dorothy Fern Rardin Smith. He graduated from Kingman High School in Kingman, Indiana in 1954. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps after graduation and married the love of his life, Leota Ann Beckley, on December 31, 1954, while on leave. He served for 2 years in Quantico, VA.

He and Leota moved back to Indiana and lived in Veedersburg until 1975. He worked at Olin Corporation and farmed while living there. In 1975 he moved his family to Springfield, MO, to attend Baptist Bible College. He graduated from there in 1978. He was the Pastor at Calvary Baptist in St. Robert, MO, for a few years. Then he became Associate Pastor at Grace Bible Baptist Church in Springfield, MO. During this time he also worked at Southwest Missouri State as a custodian.

Ed is survived by his wife of 66 years, Leota Ann (Beckley) Smith; daughters, Dorothy Hooper of Cedar Rapids, IA, and Cathy Herron and husband Kevin of Springfield, MO; son, Loyal Smith and wife Mary Ellen of Ellisville, MO; grandchildren, Stephen Jennings and wife Phallin, Russell Smith, Casey Smith, John Hooper and wife Jessica, Steven Hooper and wife Kim, Hannah Hooper, Ruth Hooper, Rachel Garvin and husband Neal, Timothy Hooper and wife Jennifer, Sarah Hooper, Rebekah Hooper, Andrew Hooper, Naomi Hooper, Esther Hooper, Joanna Hooper, Abigail Hooper; and 25 great-grandchildren.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Roger Smith; sister, Sarah Risley; and grandson, Paul Hooper III.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimers Association.

Visitation will be held from 6-8 PM, Thursday, January 21, 2021, at Midwest Cremation and Funeral Services, 2026 W Woodland St, Springfield, MO. Services will be held at 11:30 AM, Friday, January 22, 2021, in the Grace Bible Baptist Church, 2101 N Johnston, Springfield, MO with burial to follow in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery with full Military Honors. Arrangements have been entrusted to Midwest Cremation and Funeral Services.