Earl "Smitty" Wayne Smith

Earl Wayne “Smitty” Smith, 85, of Bowling Green, passed away peacefully Friday, April 18, 2025, at Hannibal Regional Hospital with immediate family members by his side. Funeral services for Earl will be held Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Bibb-Veach Funeral Homes and Crematory in Bowling Green with Pastor Rod Ayers officiating. Burial with full military honors will be at Green Lawn Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at the funeral home. Earl was born June 11, 1939, in Vandalia, MO to Walter Clark and Dorothy (Miller) Smith. He was united in marriage to Martha Ann Jennings on August 20, 1961, in Vandalia, MO. Martha survives. Also surviving are daughter, Deanna Gillett (Blake) of Shawnee, KS; brother, Terry Smith of Vandalia, MO; sister-in-law, Margaret Jennings of Louisiana, MO; brothers-in-law Floyd (Margie) and Wendell (Lori) Jennings of Bowling Green, MO; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Larry Smith. Earl was raised in Estes, MO. He attended grade school in Estes and was a 1957 graduate of Bowling Green High School. Following school, Earl went to work for Abel’s at the Standard Station in Bowling Green until he was drafted in 1961. He served 4 years in the United States Air Force and 2 years in the Air Force Reserves. He was honorably discharged in 1967. After returning from the service, Earl began his long career working in the auto body industry. He built his first shop where Meyer Implement now sits. In the early 70s he moved his shop to its current location by the Bowling Green City Park. While Earl concentrated on the exterior of the vehicles, Martha took care of the interior. Earl also owned several other businesses during his lifetime, including owning the Steak House, Laundromat and Robo Car Wash in Bowling Green with business partner and friend, Dennis Allison. However, he always returned to his first passion, auto body repair work. Earl enjoyed bowling and belonged to leagues at Twin City Bowl in Louisiana, MO. During his bowling career, he bowled two 300 games and a 299 game, placing him in the Missouri Bowling Hall of Fame. He also enjoyed pitching horseshoes and restoring cars. Earl led the singing at Emmanuel Baptist Church (now Resurrection Church) for a period of time and always enjoyed praising the Lord for all His blessings. Earl would do anything to help someone and always had a smile and kind word for everyone he met. Earl humbly exhibited his deep and abiding love for the Lord in all that he did, not only through his words, but in his actions and deeds. Pallbearers will be Clifford Jennings, Adam Jennings, Dennis Allison, Ronnie Henry, Steve Wiseman and Bill Bennett. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Earl "Smitty" Wayne Smith

June 11, 1939 - April 18, 2025