James Philip Smith

James (Jim) Philip Smith, son of William P. and Lorene C. Smith, was born in Maryville, MO. September 12, 1943, and passed away at the Delaware Hospice center in Milford, DE Thursday October 23rd, 2025, at the age of eighty-two.
He attended a one room country school named Happy Hill in Tarkio, MO., until graduating eighth grade. He then attended the public schools in Tarkio, MO. graduating in May of 1961. Just a year and 10 months after graduation he married Bonnie Petry of Westboro, MO., March 24, 1963. After graduation he joined his family in farming until 1979. He worked at Missouri Beef Packers in Rock Port, MO. He then worked at Eaton Corporation in Shenandoah, IA. In August of 1981 he and his wife, Bonnie Elaine (Petry) Smith, and their three children moved to Delaware City, DE.
He worked for St. Joseph Paper Company in New Castle, De until January of 1984. Then Giles and Ransome Corp as well as Lowe's in Bear, De until he retired in October of 2000 due to health reasons.
Jim was a devout Christian and attended the Tarkio Assembly of God Church until he and his family moved to Delaware. The family attended Faith Assembly of God Church in Kirkwood, DE. and then he and his wife attended Grace Point Church of God in Smyrna, DE.
Jim enjoyed the arts and crafts along with his wife. Jim crocheted beautiful afghan blankets as well as making quilts when his wife finished needlepointing baby quilts.
Jim leaves behind his wife Bonnie (Petry) Smith of Smyrna, DE. Son, Mark Allen Smith of Smyrna, DE, daughter Djuna Witte and her husband Donnie Witte, Jr. of Bear, DE. Their children, Donnie III, (Amber) great-grandsons, Easton, Knox, Beckett, and great granddaughter Hayes. Christopher, Ashley, (Dan) great grandson Danny and great granddaughter Mia, LaDawn Sine and her husband Bob Sine of Smyrna, DE. Their son's Michael and Benjamin. He also has, one foster granddaughter Clairessa (Thompson) Renken, (Andrew) and two foster great-granddaughters and one foster grandson Joshua Thompson of Missouri. Jim leaves behind two sister Beverly Blackford, (James) of Maryville, MO, and Debra (Smith) Henson, (Tim) of Winter Haven, FL as well as many nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by his parents, Philip and Lorene Smith, a sister Sherry (Smith) Clement, and Duane, Karen (Smith) Clark, and Kent, also a foster son Charles Thompson.
A viewing will be held on Friday, October 31, 2025 from 9 to 11 AM in the Faries Funeral Chapel, located at 29 S. Main Street in Smyrna. Funeral services will begin at 11 AM. Burial will follow in Old Drawyers Cemetery in Odessa.