Rufus Montana Smyer, son of Robert E. and Elizabeth Jane Coats Smyer, was born near Bado in the Union community, on February 29, 1880, and departed this life on May 7, 1962 at the Mountain Grove rest home, making his age at the time of his death, 81 years 2 months and 7 days.
He was united in marriage to Tiney Mae Varnell on March 16, 1902 and to this union 13 children were born: Ernest L. of Albion, Ida, Julia Brixey of Mtn. Grove, Maude Hutsell of Casper, Wyo., Mary Reaves of Mtn. Grove, Payton of Elk Creek, Homer of Bendavis, Masie Carter of Bendavis, Colan of Hicksville, N.Y., Jimmie of Philadelphia, Penn., Carl of Fredericktown, Mo., Ruby Mires of Florissant, Mo., Ruth Massey of Kansas City, Jean Evans of Houston, Mo., 29 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren.
Mrs. Smyer preceded him in death on February 14, 1949.
Funeral services were held Thursday, May 10 at the Fairview Church with the Rev. Curtis Yarnell and the Rev. Jimmie Yarnell officiating. Hymns were sung by Mrs. Jerry Shannon accompanied at the piano by Sammy Sanders. Burial was in the Bado cemetery under direction of Evans Craig Funeral Home of Mtn. Grove.
Tiney May Varnell was born at Bado in Texas County, Mo., July 11, 1885, and departed this life February 14, 1949, at the age of 63 years, 7 months and 3 days. She was united in marriage to Rufus M. Smyer on March 16, 1902. To this union 13 children were born, all of whom, with the husband survive.
The children are: Ernest, of Albion, Idaho; Julia Brixey, of Mtn. Grove; Maude Hutsell, Dykes; Mary Reaves, Mtn. Grove; Payton, Elk Creek; Homer, Carl and Jean of Bendavis; Colin, of Bronx, New York; Jimmie, of U. S. Coast Guard; Ruth Massey of Huggins, and Ruby Mires, of Houston. Also surviving are two brother, I. G. Varnell of Bendavis, and W. M. Varnell, Monford Oklahoma; one sister, Mrs. Bertha Harral of Buhl, Idaho. Also 22 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, and a great host of friends and neighbors. She was converted in early life and had been a devoted christian and faithful church member.
It was always her great hope and prayer that she might live to see her children to maturity and her sons, in the service of our country, safely returned, both of which she lived to see.
Rev. Curtis Yarnell held funeral service at Fairview Church at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday. Burial at Bado cemetery under direction of the Elliott Funeral Home. The Fairview Quartet furnished music.
The large crowd of friends showed the high esteem they held for Mrs. Smyer.
The Rev. Payton Hubert Smyer, 89, son of Rufus M. and Tiney Mae Varnell Smyer, was born March 29, 1910, near Lundy in Texas County. He died Dec. 26, 1999 at St. John's Regional Health Center in Springfield after a long bout with Alzheimer's.
He married Pearl Sigman Dec. 11, 1939, in West Plains. They had four daughters.
Rev. Smyer spent his lifetime in this area. He gave his heart to Christ and in the '30's started his ministry of more than 56 years. In the early days of his ministry, times were hard working only by faith and his desire to help people know Jesus. Some of the churches he pastored were Fairview, Antioch, Cabool and Houston Free will Baptist; New Rock Springs, Cabool New Testament, Bado, Steeley Chapel, Pleasant Grove, Oakdale and Big Creek. He preached numerous funerals and revivals touching an untold number of lives.
The Smyers spent most of their life on the farm in the Elk Creek community. He enjoyed his garden, flowers and filling the freezer with fruit and vegetables. In his spare time, he hunted or would walk the Piney with fishing pole in hand. He always enjoyed singing with his family or a community in the church, visiting and reminiscing with friends. He served as a father figure to his younger brothers and sisters.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Carol Jane; five brothers, Ernest, Homer, Colan, Jimmie and Car Smyer; four sisters, Julia Brixey, Maude Hutsell, Mary Reaves and Masie Carter. Surviving are his wife of more than 60 years; his daughter, Myrna Jent of Venice, Fla., Carla Smyer of Springfield and Colene Hanks of Copley, Ohio; three sisters, Ruby Mires, Ruth Massey and Jean Evans of Houston, and two grandchildren.
Services were Dec. 29 at the First Free Will Baptist Church in Cabool with the Rev. Russell McDaris officiating. Burial was in the Steeley Chapel Cemetery under the direction of Evans Funeral Home of Houston.
Houston Herald, Houston, Mo., Dec. 30, 1999
