Fern Eaton Smith

Wilma Fern Eaton Smith, age 95, formerly of Charleston, passed away March 8, 2025 in Crystal River, Florida where she had lived since September 2022.
Born December 27, 1929, in Pocahontas, AR, to the late Cecil S. Eaton Sr. and Julia Alphin Eaton. She was raised in Knobel, AR but attended school in Corning. Following her graduation in 1947 from Corning High School, she married the love of her life, Elmer G. Smith. They moved to St. Louis where they opened their first dry cleaning business, later expanding into three businesses in several areas of St. Louis.
After her father's death in the early 1960's, they moved their family of seven back to Corning AR to be near her family where they opened a drycleaning business.
In 1964, she and her husband Elmer, moved to Charleston where they opened Fashion Cleaners and in 1966 opened the Drive-In Cleaners in Cairo, IL, and continued operating there until Elmer's death in 1992. At the time of his death, they had been married 44 years and raised five children, multiple pets including dogs, cats, horses, turtles, parakeets and a monkey. In addition to her own children, many others considered her a second mom. In the 1980's, she officially became Momma Fern, and the name stuck.
She was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Charleston for many years where she chaired the bereavement meal and social committee. Fern was also a member of the Eastern Star, the former Charleston Business and Professional Women's Club, where she served in all leadership capacities in her local club and served as director of BPW District 18. She received recognition as BPW Honorary Woman of the Year in 1982. Fern was always civic minded. She served as an election judge for numerous years, a scout leader for both boys and girls, and was involved in her children's school activities.
Surviving are her children, Debra (Kenny) Quertermous of Citrus Springs, FL, Vici Smith of Charleston, Tom (Melody) Smith of Valencia, CA, Jerry (Maren) Smith of Walnut Creek, CA, and Janet Smith of Oak Cliff, TX; her grandchildren, Tyler Quertermous, Lance (Sonya) Quertermous, Adam Smith and Kyle (Kristin MacDonnell) Smith and her great grandchildren, Maxwell and Evan Quertermous, River and Jude Smith, and also nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Hovie W. Eaton, Cecil Sylvester "Junior" Eaton, Jr., Basil G. Eaton and William Henry "Bill" Eaton.
Visitation will be held at the McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston on Monday March 17, 2025, from 10:00 until the funeral hour at 11:30 am. Rev. Gerald Collier and Rev. Milton Harrington will officiate.
Interment will follow in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery near Charleston, MO, under the direction of the McMikle Funeral Home of Charleston, MO.
Pallbearers will be Jeremy McGowen, Harrison McGowen, Keith Quertermous, Shane Eaton, Blake Branum and Tres Reed.
Honorary pallbearers will be Allyn Eaton, Chuck Eaton, Mike Eaton, Marty Eaton, Bill Eaton, Bill Branum, David Kaelin, Glenn Quertermous, Bobby McKenzie, Larry Tharnish and Bill Davis.
In lieu of flowers, plants and gift items, the family requests memorials be made to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 442, Charleston, MO 63834.
Online condolences may be shared at www. mcmiklefuneralhome.com.