Larry Dale Smiley, 78, of Leslie, passed away November 25, 2016 in Springfield, Missouri. Larry was born on May 11, 1938 in Leslie, Arkansas, as the oldest child of Lindsey and Marie Smiley. He lived in Leslie most of his life. Larry graduated from Leslie High School and attended Hendrix College. He was an avid Yankee baseball fan his entire life and his nickname was "Yogi" after Yogi Berra. Larry was in the United States Army where he was stationed in Ohio and served as a medic. After the Army, he lived in Indianapolis, Indiana where he worked in the drywall business. After retirement from the drywall business, he opened his fruit market and was known to many people who traveled the highway as the Black Apple man. Larry loved the business and he enjoyed seeing old friends that would stop to visit.
Left to cherish Larry's memory are his children Todd Smiley, Ziza Crocker, and Laria Smiley; siblings Randy Smiley, Rebecca Hough and Danna Hough; 2 grandchildren and 4 step-grandchildren. Larry was also survived by several nieces, nephews and other family and friends.
Larry was preceded in death by his father Otis Lindsey Smiley, mother Merriam Marie Bratton Smiley and son Richard Morris.
Funeral Services will be Tuesday, November 29, 2016 at 12:00 p.m. at Leslie First United Methodist Church with Brother Donnie Horton and Brother Mike Proctor officiating. Interment will follow at Dennard Cemetery.
Arrangements entrusted to Clinton Funeral Service. To sign Larry's Book of Memories, please go to www.clintonfuneralservice.com.
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