Elmer Lee Smith

Elmer Lee “Larry” Smith, 92, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of Jackson, passed away Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau.

He was born December 20, 1933, in Lowndes, Missouri, to Charley B. and Clemma Hughey Smith. He and Sue Ann Seay were married June 25, 1960, in Rector, Arkansas. Larry enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1954 and was honorably discharged in 1956.

Larry’s education included a BSA in Agriculture Education from Arkansas State, graduating in 1961; a MSE in Secondary School Administration from Arkansas State University, graduating in 1967; and post graduate work in secondary school counseling.

Larry began his teaching career teaching vocational agriculture at Rector High School in Rector and Greenway High School in Greenway, Arkansas. When he and Sue moved to Missouri in 1964, he worked three years as a counselor at Kennett Junior High School. Evident by his service, Larry was dedicated to education. From 1970 to 1992, he was a counselor at R. O. Hawkins Junior High School in Jackson. He was president of the Jackson CTA; a member of the Missouri State Teachers Association; a board member of the Community Counseling Association; and the Missouri Counselors Association, serving on the State Legislative Committee. He recalled a favorite memory of receiving a 90th birthday card from a former student who thanked him for his guidance.

After retirement, Larry and Sue Ann purchased the family farm in Rector and shared many years enjoying life as “hobby farmers”. In 2014, he and Sue Ann moved into a duplex at Saxony Village at the Lutheran Home campus in Cape Girardeau. Declining health persuaded them to move to Assisted Living in 2025.

Larry and Sue were longtime faithful members of New McKendree Methodist Church in Jackson, where he is fondly remembered as a church usher, and serving in other various capacities.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Sue Ann Smith of Cape Girardeau; Sue’s siblings, Paul (Becca) Seay; Ralph (Connie) Seay; Fran (Allen) Lovell; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings: Claud R. (Merle) Smith; Walter E. (Mary Lee) Smith; Charles “Hughey” (Maxine) Smith; Dorothy (Carlos) Ward; and Joseph D. (Eva) Smith.

Visitation is from 10 to 11 a.m., Monday, March 23, 2026, at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson. The Rev. Jimmie Corbin will conduct the funeral service at 11 a.m., Monday, March 23, at the funeral home. Military honors will be rendered at 2 p.m., Monday, March 23, at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri.

If considering a memorial contribution, the family suggests the Jackson R-2 School Foundation or the Bloomfield Assistance League c/o Missouri Veterans Cemetery, 17357 Stars and Stripes Way, Bloomfield, MO 63825.

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