Kevin Ray Smith

Kevin Ray Smith, 60, of Mindenmines, Missouri passed away at 3:00 p.m. Monday, April 24, 2023 at his home.

He was born December 17, 1962 in Pittsburg, Kansas, the son of Wallace and Margie N. (Stevens) Smith. He graduated from Liberal High School in 1981. He graduated from Missouri Southern State College in 1988 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Education

On August 12, 1988, he was united in marriage to Nancy Willis at Joplin, Missouri. She survives him at the family home.

Mr. Smith taught music for thirty years in the Elementary and High School, teaching at East Newton, Hume and Lamar R-1 School District.

He attended Wellspring Church in Webb City, Missouri and previously attended College Heights Christian Church in Joplin. Kevin loved to play golf. He enjoyed trapping as a kid. He and Nancy played in the band “RUKAS”.

In addition to his wife, Nancy, he is survived by a son, Thomas Smith (Jamie Robinson) of Joplin, Missouri; two daughters, Amanda Janssen (Samuel) of Friendswood, Texas and Callista Smith of the home; a brother, Gary Smith (Sondra) of Mindenmines, MO; a sister Joan Cantrell (Clint) of Mindenmines, MO; a sister-in-law, Sally Smith of Carl Junction, Missouri; and his five fur babies, Teddy, Lola, Chimmy, Lyra, Echo and a grandpuppy, Joules.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Jerry Smith.                                                           

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 PM Saturday (April 29) at the Thiebaud Auditorum (105 E. 11th St, Lamar, MO) with Rev. Dan Moss officiating.      Private family interment will take place at a later date in the Nashville Cemetery, Nashville, Missouri. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests expressions of sympathy be given to the Kevin Smith Scholarship Fund and or the Joplin Humane Society. These may be given the day of the service or mailed to the Brenner Mortuary, l14 E. 4th St., Pittsburg, KS  66762. Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary, Pittsburg, KS.

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