Edward R. Smith

Edward R. Smith, 82, of Topeka, passed away on Thursday, April 30, 2015 at Brewster Place in Topeka. He was born March 9, 1933 in Mount Olive, MS, the son of Holly and Mattie "Memaw" McBeth Smith.

Edward was an Air Force Veteran, serving 25 years before retiring on July 1, 1972. He served during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He later went to work for Essex Wire in Pauline.

Edward married Patricia Faith Smith in August, 1954. She preceded him in death on April 14, 2015. He was also preceded in death by one daughter, Dianne Whitmer, one granddaughter, Sarah Autry Jacob, his son-in-law, Jeff North and his siblings, Nell Burnham, Kathleen Myers and Billy Wayne Smith.

Survivors include three children, Larry D. (Donna) Langston, Deborah K. Smith, Cindy A. (Keith) Bleakley, eight grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren and his siblings, Juanita Sanford and G. Michael Smith.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, May 4, 2015 at Penwell-Gabel Southeast Chapel. Burial will follow in Mount Hope Cemetery. Edward will lie in state and the family will receive friends from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Sunday, May 3, 2015 at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be given to the Wounded Warriors Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.