Carlton Johnnie Smith, 89, of Galena., died Tuesday, July 4, 2023 while holding the hands of his daughters and son and his Pastor softly sang Amazing Grace. Born August 23, 1933, in Cassville, Mo. John was the son of Carl Smith and Ethel (Rhoades) Smith.
“John” was a Korean War Veteran that loved serving his country. He loved his family and friends extremely, but his greatest love was for his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Through his pain and hardships, he never ceased praising the Lord. Although he wasn’t a Bible Scholar, he knew Jesus Christ is the only way to Heaven and he did his best to walk with him daily and was a member of Jesus Name Church On The Hill, Galena, KS John and Reba Underhill were united in marriage January 30, 1957 in Miami, Okla.
John is survived by his four children, Jan Purscelley and Gary Smith of Galena, Carla Dunbar (husband, Tracy) of Clearwater, Fla. and Tracie Triplett (husband, Sam) of Westcliffe, Colo. Ten grandchildren, Josh Reed (Maria) and Jake Reed (Megean) both of Galena, Derek Barnes of Baxter Springs, Kade Dunbar (Angie) of Andale, Aaron Dunbar (Whitney) of Blue Springs, Mo., MacKenzie Gavin (Sam) of Pinellas Park, Fla., Callie Smith of Joplin, Mo., Shelby Smith of Harrisonville, Mo., Abby Lake of St. Louis, Mo., and Gavin Triplett of Westcliffe, Colo.; 20 great-grandchildren also survive.
John was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Reba, two brothers Lloyd Haynes and Raymond Smith and a sister Leota Johnson.
A funeral service will be held Friday, July 7, at 2 p.m. in Derfelt’s Baxter Chapel. Pastor Wes Woodcock will officiate. Interment will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery at Columbus. His grandsons will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive visitors beginning at 1 p.m. prior to funeral service at the funeral home Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Derfelt’ s Baxter Chapel.