Jewell Lavern Smith, Galena, Mo., daughter of Jude and Carrie Mae (Carter) Moore, was born on September 29, 1934, in Kennett, Mo., and departed this life on April 09, 2024, at the age of 89.

Lavern was a social worker who had lived in the area for the past twenty-five years coming from Piggott, Ark.

Lavern was preceded in death by her husband, Earl W Smith; son, Kerry D Smith; daughter, Carol Dodd; parents, Jude and Carrie Moore; and siblings, Carol Coleman, Tom Moore, Joe Moore, L.R. Moore and Gary Moore and two grandchildren.

Survivors include: two sons, Neal Smith and his wife, Regenia of Pollard, Ark., and Joe Smith and his wife, Sheila of Galena, Mo.; two daughters, Judy Hall and her husband, Wally, Jr. of Galena, Mo., and Crystal Rice and her husband, Dewayne of Ozark, Mo.; nine grandchildren: Kenneth, Dawn, Tessa, Sara, Colby, Kyndal, Logan, Maegan and Caleb; two great grandchildren: Nyla and Quinlee and a host of other relatives and friends.

Visitation was held from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday, April 15, 2024, in Ponce Pentecostal Church, Ponce, Mo. Funeral services followed the visitation at 11 a.m. with Gayle Cobb officiating. Burial was in Missouri Veterans Cemetery, Springfield, Mo., under the direction of Stumpff Funeral Home, Crane, Mo.