Robert E. Smith
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Robert E. "Cotton" Smith, 89, of Du Quoin, passed away at 12:56 a.m., Monday, July 25, 2011 at the Fair Acres Nursing Home in Du Quoin.
Cotton had been in the plumbing and heating business in Neosho, Mo. He had owned Ben Franklin and Payless Stores. Cotton had been a farmer and owned farms. He had also been an investment broker. He retired when he was 84 years old. He was a member of the Sunfield United Methodist Church. Cotton had also been a member of Masonic Lodge at Houston, Mo., Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Temple, Kiwanis and Missouri Bankers Association.
He was born Oct. 12, 1921 at Granby, Mo., the son of Ernest Robert and Zola Mae (Chase) Smith.
He married Harriette Hennick on March 26, 1941 at Neosho, Mo. and she survives.
He is survived by his wife of Du Quoin, one daughter - Sue Logan and husband Stanley of Du Quoin, one son - Robert Edward Smith and wife Joan of Houston, Mo., two sisters - Mary Van Slyke of Fair Grove, Mo. and Betty Sowder of West Plains, Mo., four grandchildren - Christian Smith and wife Laura of Houston, Mo., Tracie Holley and husband Russ of Overland Park, Kans., Dr. Jon Logan of Cleveland, Ohio and Elisabeth Collins and husband Brian of Tamaroa, four great grandchildren - Taylor Smith and Tanner Smith, both of Houston, Mo., and Grace Collins and Sallee Collins, both of Tamaroa.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers - Audie Smith, Harold Smith and James Smith, one sister - Elizabeth Tanner and one sister in infancy.
Funeral services were at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, July 31, 2011 at the Sunfield United Methodist Church at Sunfield with Rev. Donna Blythe officiating.
Friends called from 1 p.m. until the time of service at the church on Sunday.
Burial was in the Sunset Memorial Park at Du Quoin.
Friends may make memorials to Sunfield United Methodist Church Building Fund or Shriners Crippled Children's Hospital and will be accepted at the funeral home.
Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin was in charge of arrangements.
For additional information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.searbyfuneralhomes.com.