Vernon Merle Smith

Vernon “Smitty” Smith, age 94, of Brookfield, passed away Friday, February 23, 2024, at Centerpoint Medical Center in Independence, Missouri.

Funeral services will be held Monday, March 4, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Park Baptist Church in Brookfield with Pastor David Blakely officiating.  Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church.  A private Burial will take place at a later date at Mt. Olive Cemetery in Shafter, Missouri.

Memorials to Mt. Olive Cemetery may be left at the church or mailed to Wright Funeral Home, P.O. Box 496, Brookfield, MO 64628.

Vernon Merle, son of Harley and Nettie (Dowell) Smith, was born March 26, 1929, in Shafter, Missouri.  On September 24, 1949, he married Martha Ann Graham who preceded him in death on June 2, 2015.

Vernon was a lifelong resident of Linn County.  He was a member of Park Baptist Church in Brookfield where he had served as a Deacon, and also attended Trinity United Methodist Church for a time. Vernon had worked for several years at Biegel Refrigeration in Brookfield and was the owner and operator of Smitty’s Cabinet Shop in Brookfield for over 50 years.  

Vernon was a true sports enthusiast.  He was an outstanding basketball player in high school (and where he was given the nickname of "Short" by teammates, since he was literally short but extremely quick/fast).  He played American Legion Baseball and was a member of the Mendon MO Ball Club winning the State championship in 1951.  He was also a member of both the Pankey Oilers and Pepsi men's softball teams, which made multiple State appearances over the years.  He most likely played every position during his career but was foremost a catcher, a pitcher, or a first baseman. 

Vernon also loved watching college basketball and football, but nothing compared to his love of baseball.  He was a long time Kansas City Royals season ticket holder and also loved the Kansas City Chiefs.  Vernon lived a long healthy life that allowed him to travel and enjoy his grandchildren in their sports. 

Survivors include his children, Laurinda Davison of Chillicothe and Stephen Smith of Kingsport, Tennessee; two grandchildren, Edward Lee Enyeart and wife, Kathleen of Kansas City and Phillip Stephen Davison and wife, Ashlea of Portland, Oregon; five great-grandchildren, Ian Enyeart, Alec Enyeart, Owen Fisher, Addy Fisher, and Izzy Fisher all of Kansas City; and one son-in-law, Brent Hazelrigg of Columbia.

He was also preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Verna Suzanne Hazelrigg; son-in-law, Roy Davison; one sister, Norma Jenkins; and two brothers, Loren Smith and Virgil Smith.

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