OLIVE BRANCH, Ill. � Tom Smothers, 74, of Olive Branch died at 10:07 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29, 2017, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Sept. 3, 1943, in Cairo, Illinois, the son of Thomas Sherman and Thelma Minton Smothers. He married Gwendolyn Ellet on Nov. 21, 1967.

Tom graduated from Southeast Missouri State University with a Bachelor�s in Education. He proudly taught 34 years at the Meridian School District and had served on the Egyptian School Board. Aside from teaching, Tom was also a lifetime farmer. He was a member of the Sandy Creek Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Gwen Smothers; daughters, Beverly (Bryan) Miller and Karla (Mark) Simmons; son, Tommy (Bobbi Jean) Smothers; grandchildren, Jeremy Held, Dristin Rose, Seth Rose, Jake Simmons, Lydia Smothers, Tim Simmons and Travis Simmons; mother, Thelma Smothers; sisters, Shelia (Harold) Hale and Kae (Larry) Naeger; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his father.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at Crain Funeral Home in Tamms, Illinois.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. today at the funeral home, with the Rev. Davy Miller officiating.

Memorials may be made to Olive Branch Cemetery and will be accepted at the funeral home.

To view the full obituary or to leave an online condolence for the family, visit www.crainsonline.com.