Smith , Earl Cotton

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Earl "Cotton" Smith
Date Of Birth:August 12, 1931
Date Of Death:January 18, 2013
Service Date:Graveside Service: 10:30am, Friday, January 25, 2013 at Evans Cemetery, rural Vandalia, IL

Mr. Earl M. "Cotton" Smith, 81, of Vandalia, passed away at 5:10am, Friday, January 18, 2013 at Palm Terrace of Mattoon, IL.

A graveside service will be held at 10:30am, Friday, January 25, 2013 at Evans Cemetery with Rev. Pete LeDuc officiating, rural Vandalia, IL.  Military Rites accorded at graveside by Crawford-Hale American Legion Post # 95, Vandalia, IL. Memorials may be made to Evans Cemetery or Brownstown VFW Post #9770.

Cotton was born August 12, 1931, in Seminary Twp, the son of Ira and Maude (Tedrick) Smith.  He married Shirley Jones on November 28, 1952, she preceded him in death March 26, 2007.  Cotton was in the US Army and served during the Korean War, he was a farmer and also worked out of the Salem Carpenters Union.  He was a member of the Brownstown VFW Post #9770 and Vandalia American Legion Post #95.

He is survived by daughters Ruth Ann and husband Bob Casey of Vandalia, IL and Coni and husband Raymond Woolsey of Vandalia, IL; sons Curtis Smith of Vandalia, IL and Melvin Smith and wife Cindy of Vandalia, IL; sister-in-laws Anita Smith and Betty Stone of Vandalia, IL; Grandchildren Kam Hill, Kyle Hill, Mandy Smith Tinker, Tyson Smith, Chase Woolsey, Colton Woolsey, Cody Woolsey, and Ashley Berquette; and great grandchildren Eli Smith, Emily Mays-Hill, Makayla Tinker, and Kaleb Tinker. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, brothers Clarence Smith, Everett Smith, Ted Davis, OJ Davis, Raymond Davis; sisters Alice Quandt and Mildred Dye.


  • From: Holly Torbeck
    Location:Vandalia

    Smith Family; I am sorry for your lose. Your family are in my thoughts and prayers.


  • From: Sandy & Dean Devall
    Location:United States

    Ruth Ann, Melvin, Coni, Curt & all your families, We are so sorry for the loss of Uncle Cotton, we know he is in a better place now and will be with your Mom, so we know he is happy now. I always got a kick out of him when deer season was in & he would hint around for deer chili, and if I had the meat I would go home and fix him some and take it to him, & he loved to talk when we took his mail in to him, so I will really miss him. It sure is hard to lose the ones we love, I tell myself that their in an better place and aren't hurting anymore. We have lost an lot of loved ones over the years and it never gets any easier for any of us. We have an lot of memories that will help get you through the sad times. Our hearts go out to all of you, Love Sandy


  • From: Retta Evans
    Location:United States

    My deepest sympathies and prayers to you and your families Ruth Ann.