Larry Gene Smith was born on Monday, August 11, 1952 to his loving parents, Moses D. and Clarice Agnes Smith of East St. Louis, Illinois. Larry was the first of his five siblings, and as such was a role model to them all. In his youth, Larry was a happy-g0-lucky jokester, and this was definitely a trait that followed him into adulthood. His laughter always put those around him at ease. Larry was educated in the East St. Louis Public Education System of District 189. In 1970, as Larry entered adulthood, he decided to serve his country by joining the US Army. While serving at Fort Leonard Wood, Larry's main duties included maintaining the efficiency of the base transportation system. He also transported the troops from location to location. After leaving the military, Larry continued serving his community with a multitude of jobs. Larry was always willing to lend a helping hand, whether driving his mother to doctor's appointments or helping barbecue at his niece's graduation, he was always available. Larry lived such a wonderfully infectious life, that everyone who crossed his path could not help but love him.
As a child, Larry attended St. Joseph Catholic Church, where he served as an altar boy. Still a devout Catholic, he recently became a member of Our Lady of the Holy Cross Catholic Church in St. Louis, Missouri.
Larry is survived by his brother, Stephen (Angela) Smith; sister-in-law, Tanya Smith; two sisters, Brenda (Graylan) Allen and Mary Jane Smith; two nephews, Ryan (Kimberly) Smith and Cedrick W. Allen; niece, Tianna A. Smith; one great-nephew, Tyler R. Smith; two aunts, Lorraine Buck and Ann Cowper; uncle, Louis Coffman; a host of cousins and friends He has been reunited with both of his parents and his brother, David L. Smith. We will remember him as a wonderful brother, a kind uncle, an irreplaceable friend and a great confidante.