Ethel Lucille Politte

Ethel Lucille Politte, 85, of Poplar Bluff, died on Friday, February 17, 2017. She was born November 8, 1931 in Corning, Ar. to Harry & Edna Mulhollen Johnson. Ms. Politte was a graduate of Neelyville High School where she excelled in academics and basketball. In 1950, she married Raymond Smith and they relocated to St. Louis where she co-owned and operated a grocery store, and there they also began a family. Upon returning to southeast Missouri, she and Mr. Smith began Smith Mobile Homes. Throughout her life, she was a dedicated mother, grandmother, and homemaker. She was a member of the Poplar Bluff Jehovah’s Witnesses Congregation. In 1990, she married Ralph Politte, with whom she shared a great love and many adventures. They enjoyed family, traveling, and spending time in the North Port, FL. area. He preceded her in death in 2008. Ms. Polite will be remembered for her gracious hospitality, thoughtfulness, and unwavering love of family. She is survived by children, Robert Lee Smith (wife, Sue) of Paragould, AR; Charles D. Smith of Steelville; Wilbert Harry Smith (wife, Rita) of Naylor; Linda Diann Murray (husband, Van) of Harviell. One son, Raymond, Leon Smith, preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her brothers, Harry "Wes" Johnson, Perry "Bud" Johnson and Mickey Johnson. She is survived by sisters, Louise Cooper, Irma Bouchillion and Dorlis McKinney; as well as fourteen grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held on Monday February 20, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. untill 12:00 p.m. at the Fowler-Sullivan Memorial Chapel in Neelyville, with funeral service immediately following led by Doug Smith. She will be laid to rest at the Williams Cemetery in Corning, AR. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Williams Cemetery at Fowler-Sullivan or First National Bank of Corning, Ar.