ROY R. SMYSER

by Rita Cox

Roy R. Smyser, 88, of rural Lewistown, Mo., died August 13, 2015 in Blessing Hospital at Quincy, Ill.

He was born September 12, 1926 near Durham, Mo., a son of Reuben and Eunice Tucker Smyser. He married Hazel Abell December 15, 1973 in Maywood, Mo.

He was a member of Mission Hill Baptist Church in Palmyra. He loved music and played the bass guitar. Roy loved his family very much and liked to make people smile. He looked forward to sitting on the front porch in the evening and loved to farm on the old home place. Roy was a very hard worker and operated the road grader for the county for many years and spent 10 years as county road commissioner. He spent 27 years driving a School Bus for the C-1 School District.

Survivors include his wife Hazel Smyser of rural Lewistown; one son, Glenn (Erin) Smyser of Ewing, Mo.; two daughters, Virginia Ranville of Quincy, Ill., Lanette Burda of Center, Mo.; step daughter Teena (David) Sparks of Ewing, Mo; grandchildren, Alexis Smyser, Samantha Smyser, Reagan Smyser, Chrissi Smallman Radcliff, Dominic Ciavarro, Jonathan Burda; step grandchildren, Chad Wright, Jeremy Wright, Ethan Wright, Scott Toliver, Autumn Stone, Dillon Sparks and Bailee Lester and numerous great grandchildren; two nieces, Brenda Gunlock of Lewistown and Gayla Curry of Hannibal, Mo.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Ruth Hicks and step daughter Terry Wright.

Funeral services were held August 18, 2015 at the Durham Baptist Church in Durham, Mo., with Rev. Alvin K. Lewis and Rev. Ted Middleton officiating. Pallbearers: Lee Payne, Tom Carter, Bob Corbin, Jim Wilkens, Les Edmonston and E.H. Smith. Music: Glen Carter and Susan Lomax.

Burial was in the Durham Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Durham Cemetery Association.

Davis Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.