Earl Vaughn Smith

April 7, 1932 — April 18, 2024

Versailles

Earl Vaughn Smith, age 92, of Versailles passed away Thursday, April 18, 2024, at the Good Shepherd Care Center.
It was on the 7th day of April in 1932, when Arva and Maude (Cowell) Smith welcomed their son, Earl Vaughn, into their home in Stover.
In 1952, Vaughn made the honorable decision to enlist in the United States Army during the Korean War.
On July 9, 1955, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Virginia Pryor, at their minister’s home south of Stover. Virginia preceded him death after 68 years together on September 4, 2023.
He was a hard worker, starting with Rock Island Railroad and then switching to the MKT. Later in life he liked to bike the old trails. He would bring grandkids and always have an adventure.
Playing music was one of the things Vaughn loved. He taught himself to play the guitar, but never learned how to read music. He could just listen to something and be able to play it. He played a Martin flat top guitar. Later in life he enjoyed playing at his church, senior centers, and nursing homes.
Going to the Missouri State Fair held a special place in Vaughn’s heart. He would spend multiple days going up to the fair always doing something different. He loved to be able to share the fair with his family and friends.
He liked to visit flea markets and garage sales with Virginia. As a family they would also go on “Poor Man Vacations” which meant he would pack a cooler, snacks, and a camp stove and they would stay in the station wagon or sometimes spring for a hotel.
Vaughn was a quiet, honorable person. His handshake meant everything to him. A person always knew where they stood with Vaughan because he didn’t beat around the bush. He did like to tell jokes and never shied away from telling old stories about the railroad or other memories.
Left to carry on Vaughn’s legacy is his daughter, Tara Smith Hunziker of Versailles; six grandchildren, Jeremy Smith, Tyler Smith, Ronnie Smith and wife Elizabeth, Gabriel Smith, Bethany Hunziker Thomas and husband Jonathon, and Virginia Hunziker; three great grandchildren, Annastasia, Scarlett, and Azriel Thomas; two daughters-in-law, Cheryl Smith and Gabriella Smith; a brother, Delbert Smith; and a sister, Joan Burnett; along with other family and friends.
In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by two sons, Rodney Vaughn Smith and Ronald Lee Smith; a son-in-law, Donald Hunziker; and seven siblings.
Funeral services for Vaughn will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at the Family Worship Center in Versailles with Pastor Danny Owsley officiating. Burial will be in the Stover Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Ronnie Smith, Jeremy Smith, Jonathon Thomas, and Anthony Roberts. Honorary bearers will be Gabriel Smith and Tyler Smith.
The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday until the time of the service at the church.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Family Worship Center.

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Visitation

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

10:00 - 11:00 am (Central time)

Family Worship Center

1000 Jones St, Versailles, MO 65084

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