Jerry Homer Smith, 89, of Granite City, Illinois, passed away at 9:42 p.m. on Friday, October 6, 2023, at his home. He was born July 22, 1934, in Paragould, Arkansas, a son of the late Homer Harrison and Leah Elsa (Waters) Smith. He married the love of his life, Barbara Nell (Phillips) Smith on December 20, 1953, in Paragould, Arkansas and she survives. Jerry worked very hard to provide for his family in many different jobs throughout his life. He had worked with Ford Motor Company, Bi-State Transit, but was best known for serving as a manager of a school bus contract in Granite City for many years with RW Harmon and then Laidlaw.
Prior to his retirement, he was the regional district manager over Southern Illinois. Following his retirement, he moved to Macomb, Illinois and served five years working with First Student bus transportation, working with the Western Illinois college and the local school districts. He and his wife were longtime members of Calvary Baptist Church and later attended Suburban-Unity Baptist Church in Granite City. He enjoyed teaching Sunday school, being with family and friends and had a great love of nature. He loved his days of fishing, gardening, feeding the birds and watching the sunset.
In addition to his beloved wife of nearly 70 years, he is survived by three daughters, Diana Kraus of Waterloo, Illinois, Cindy Rice of Cape Fair, Missouri and Kimberly Rose of Midlothian, Virginia; seven grandchildren, Heather Arnett, Robert Smith Kraus, Rebekah Moxey, Billy Patterson, Andrew Rose, Allison Rose and Abigail Broughton; six great grandchildren, Madelyn, Mason, McKayla, Liam, Raiden and Evelyn; other extended family and friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his stepmother, Jewel Smith; two sons-in-law, Steven Rice and Marty Rose; a granddaughter, Sarah Arnett; a sister, Betty Brown and three brothers, Robert Smith, Avery Gene Smith and Dub Dawson. In celebration of his life, visitation will be at Calvary Baptist Church, 3000 Washington Avenue in Granite City on Monday, October 16, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. until time of funeral service at 12:00 noon with Reverend Wesley Hahn officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Hill Memorial Estates in Glen Carbon. Memorials may be made to Calvary Baptist Church. Irwin Chapel of Granite City in charge of arrangements. www.irwinchapel.com
