SFC Maceo Smith, Sr.
July 23, 1936 - April 14, 2023
Funeral service for SFC (ret) Maceo Smith, Sr. 86, of Lawton will be at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at St. John's Missionary Baptist Church of Lawton with Rev. Davison A. Virgil, Pastor, officiating.
Committal service with Full Military Honors will follow at Fort Sill National Cemetery under the direction of Whinery-Huddleston Funeral Service.
Viewing will be held on Tuesday, April 18, 2023 from 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
SFC (Retired) Maceo Smith, Sr., transitioned to his heavenly home on April 14, 2023, surrounded by his loving wife, Louise, son, Cedric, and members of his church family.
SFC Maceo Smith, Sr., was born on July 23, 1936, outside of Clarendon, Arkansas, to Mr. and Mrs. Dee Lewis and Blanchie Eveline Smith. He attended Evonlon Pinkly Elementary School and would later graduate from Carver High School in Clarendon in 1936. He met a young girl named Louise Cunningham, in the sixth grade, in 1947. Their friendship grew into courtship and marriage. Maceo and Louise were married on August 20, 1956 in Clarendon. From this union they had two sons, Maceo Jr. (deceased) and Cedric.
SFC Smith enlisted in the United States Army on June 1, 1956. He was stationed at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, and Fort Bliss, Texas, for basic and advanced training, respectively; in November 1966, he was assigned to Fort Lee, Virginia. His other duty assignments included Fort Eustis, Virginia; Heilbronn, Germany; Fort Hood, Texas; Fifth Army Headquarters, Chicago, Illinois; Wuerzburg, Germany; Fort Sheridan, Illinois; Vietnam; Fort Riley, Kansas; and Hanau, Germany. The Smith's came to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, on August 6, 1977.
In 1980, SFC Smith united with the St. John's Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. Dr. Jesse Lee Davenport, with his wife, Louise, joining in 1981. While at St. John's SFC Smith has served as a Sunday School teacher, a member of the Brotherhood, and was a faithful usher for many years.
Sergeant First Class Smith honorably retired from the U.S. Army on July 9, 1979 with the National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal with three service stars; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; two Overseas service Bars; Bronze Star Medal; Army Commendation Medal; Good Conduct Medal, seventh award; Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm leaf; Expert Rifleman's Badge; Expert Hand Grenade Badge, and the Meritorious Service Medal.
One of SFC Smith's dreams was to travel the world. It was his fondness of geography as a young boy that set his imagination ablaze about seeing the places he studied. The military facilitated him traveling to many states and eight countries to include Belgium, Germany, Greenland, Ireland, Australia, England, Switzerland, France and Vietnam.
After retiring from the military, SFC Smith enrolled at Cameron University and received his associate degree in applied science on December 19, 1986. On May 13, 1988, he
received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Cameron University. He later retired from the civil service at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, after completing 17 years on the job. On July 31, 1998, a special ceremony was held in his honor to recognize his many years of distinguished service.
SFC Smith is survived by his devoted wife of over sixty-six years, Louise Cunninghan Smith; son, Cedric Smith; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
SFC Smith is predeceased by his parents, Dee Lewis and Blanchie Eveline Smith, a son, Maceo, Jr., one sister, Lurlene, and five brothers, Robert Lee, Booker T., Willie James, Detroit and Joe Louis.
Visitation
Whinery - Huddleston Funeral Service
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM 6210 NW Cache Rd Lawton, OK 73505
Funeral Service
St. John Missionary Baptist
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
11:00 AM 1504 SW NH Jones Ave. Lawton, OK 73501
Committal
Fort Sill National Cemetery, Elgin
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
1:00 PM
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