KIAH SMITH JR.

Kiah Smith Jr.

CHARLESTON -- Kiah Smith Jr., 84, of Charleston died Sunday, Aug. 8, 1999, at Southeast Missouri Hospital.

He was born Jan. 8, 1915, at Charleston, son of Kiah and Ella N. Foust Smith Sr. He and Loretta Bevil were married May 23, 1953.

He had been a member of the First Baptist Church since 1925, was a charter member of VFW Post 4294 and had served as post commander and 15th district commander. He was also a member of American Legion Post 232, having served as post adjutant. He belonged to Masonic Lodge 407, was a 32nd degree Mason, Shriner and member of SEMO Shriners and was a member of the Order of Eastern Star Chapter 122, having served as worthy patron.

Smith was a member of the Municipal Opera Chorus at St. Louis and worked at KSD radio station from 1937 to 1938. He taught public school at Charleston before entering the U.S. Army.

After his discharge he worked with his father at Charleston Abstract Co. from 1946 to 1953. He was a state agent for the U.S.F. & G. Insurance Co. at St. Louis for eight years before owning the Smith Insurance Agency at Sikeston. He returned to Charleston and operated the Charleston Abstract Co. from 1963 until his 1980 retirement.

In 1997 he received 50-year pins representing his membership and service in the Masonic Lodge, Shriners, 32nd degree Mason and VFW.

He is survived by his wife. His parents and a sister preceded him in death.

Graveside services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery at Charleston. The Revs. Gerald Collier and Gerald Penn will officiate.

McMikle Funeral Home at Charleston is in charge of arrangements.