Lavoy “Smitty” Jackson Smith, age 86, of Blue Eye, Missouri
Lavoy “Smitty” Jackson Smith, age 86, of Blue Eye, Missouri, passed away September 25, 2023. He was born July 31, 1937, in Galena, Missouri, the son of Clyde Smith and Betty Joe Burdeck. The oldest of four children. Lavoy had two brothers, who he surpassed: Cox Smith of Reeds Spring, Missouri, who passed July 23, and Bradley Smith of Checotah, Oklahoma, who passed. He had a sister, Karlene McGill and husband, Robert, of Reeds Spring, Missouri, who surpassed all her brothers.
He leaves behind son, Robert D. Smith of Southwick, Massachusetts; daughter, Gladys Egan and husband, Patrick of Blue Eye, Missouri; son, Keith J. Egan who passed in Easthampton, Massachusetts in 2012; besides his children, he leaves many grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and several nieces.
Lavoy lived in Reeds Spring, Missouri, most of his life going to school in Reeds, until joining the Air Force at the age of 18. After his time in the service, he moved to Massachusetts, where he met his wife, Sandra A. Smith. They married on September 4, 1999. Lavoy then became stepfather to Gladys and Keith. He worked for Savage Arms in Westfield, Massachusetts, as a gunsmith for almost thirty years. He retired July 31, 1999, where he then worked weekends at the YMCA in Northampton, Massachusetts, as a housekeeper. Lavoy and Sandra were apartment complex managers in Easthampton. Lavoy also had a small engine repair shop working on snowmobiles and lawn mowers, where he loved getting greasy doing what he loved. They moved back to Reeds Spring in the early fall of 2009. Lavoy loved Missouri and wanted to come back to what he called “home” in Reeds. He helped build Reeds Motel and worked at a meat packaging plant. Lavoy then moved to Blue Eye where they stayed until his passing.
No formal services are planned at this time. Arrangements are under the direction of Cremations of the Ozarks. To leave an online condolence or share a memory, please visit www.cremationsoftheozarks.com.