Lyman Smart, Sr.

Lyman Smart Sr. was born October 24, 1939 to John Lewis Smart (Uncle Did) and Menurva Wright in Saltillo (Conway), Arkansas. Ten children were born to this union. His parents, grandparents, three sisters, Carlene Dooley, Maxine Smart and Linda Smart, five brothers, Lewis Smart, Herman Smart, Leonard Smart, James Smart and Eric Smart, six grandchildren, and several brothers-in-love and sisters-in-love have preceded him in death.

On December 9, 1960, he married the love of his life, his true soulmate, Gloria Katherine Robinson. She so well called him, “Jitto”, and when calm, “Jit.” Added to this union were six children. They also had the privilege to raise several of their grand and great-grandchildren. Unlike mom, dad had no favorites, he loved us all unconditionally.

Lyman Smart Sr. was a farm laborer for many years. He worked for Mr. Harry Hart and Mr. Webster Gardner until he went to John Deere. Lyman Sr. was able to operate on and fix any and all machinery on the farm. He later switched to Louis Dreyfus/Riceland Foods where he retired in 2018 on October 23rd, one day shy of his 79th birthday. He retired #1 in seniority from the #9 position as a new hire. Lyman Sr. had been employed for more than 25+ years upon his departure. Dad, alongside mom, volunteered for Kids’ Beat for many years with Ms. Sherry Maxwell, employed by Lincoln University Cooperative Extension.

Lyman Smart Sr., as many called Jit Smart, Pops, Papa, Mr. Lyman, Grandpa, Old Man, Jitto, Dad, Daddy Ole, etc. He was a man with many titles that wore different hats and participated in many trades from working on cars, houses and anything in between. There was nothing this man couldn’t fix or do. He was a genius. Smart, not only by name, but he could solve any math problem without paper or pencil and any life situation quickly without strain or hesitation. With only an eighth-grade education, we still thought he would be the next president. He was “smart” for real.

Lyman Smart Sr. encountered an angel by the name of John Richard, also known as “Uncle”. He seemed to appear out of nowhere. The story was that Grandpa John Lewis’ family had passed due to typhoid fever and he was the sole survivor. Uncle became a great asset to the family as they all now resided together. Dad said one day Uncle began taking him to church, teaching him about God, the Bible, being a good man, loving others and being respectful. They would walk to church and he felt God and knew these were characteristics he wanted in his life. He watched Uncle and he learned. He said he would like to think he was a good man. Well Dad, you were and always will be “Our Hero!” Thanks Grandpa John Lewis and Uncle for our Dad. The best of the best!

He rededicated his life to God, took communion once a month and always spoke of the goodness of God. Although he wasn’t a big church attendee, when we invited him, he showed up. His humble spirit and affirmation that he was saved was enough for us. Some of his last words spoken were about the love he had for God. Dad will truly be missed and his new journey and wake has just begun.

A former New Madrid resident, Lyman Smart, Sr. relocated in 1984 to Lilbourn, Missouri where he departed this world in the comfort of his home at 118 Martin Avenue surrounded by his children at 12:30 A.M. on September 18, 2026. At this time, he surrendered to the call of God. This transition ended his long battle and journey that cancer had led him on since 2014. He surrendered peacefully, without pain. We are truly thankful for that.

Those left to cherish his memories, three daughters, Carmen Smart Chambers of Sikeston, Missouri, Linda G. (Charles) Smart Hankins of Lilbourn, Missouri and Jeanne Rene’e Smart of Sikeston, Missouri, three sons, Lyman Smart Jr. of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Calvin Smart of Newport, Rhode Island and Jerome (Michelle) Smart of St. Louis, Missouri, one sister, Doris Smart Miles of Elkhart, Indiana, four bonus daughters, Denise Dunnavant, Annette Fisher, Theresa Tinsley and Latasha Gates, a bonus son, Melvin Humphrey, two sisters-in-love, Wilma Smart and Mae Russell Smart and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nephews, nieces, cousins, other relatives and many friends.

A visitation will be held Saturday, September 26, 2026 from 11:00 A.M. until the funeral hour of 12:00 noon at Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church, located at 303 West Main Street in Marston, Missouri. Interment will immediately follow in Evergreen Cemetery on US Highway 61 in New Madrid, Missouri with Williams Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Repast for family and friends will be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Dawson Road in New Madrid.