Dr. C. Franklin Smith
Dr. C. Franklin Smith
Dr. C. Franklin Smith, 86, West Plains, Missouri, passed away at 8:40 a.m., Sunday, September 20, 2020, at Cox Medical Center South, Springfield, Missouri.
Claude Franklin Smith was born on March 19, 1934 in Fremont, Missouri, the fifth son of Leonard and Leetia (Hall) Smith. He grew up on the family farm where there was no running water or electricity until his high school years. He graduated as Valedictorian from Fremont High School in 1952 in a graduating class of 10 people. He attended the University of Missouri from 1952-1956, graduating with a B.A. in Chemistry and attended the University of Missouri Medical School from 1956-1960 where he graduated with a Doctorate of Medicine. He married Peggy Maupin Smith in 1954 after proposing to her during her senior year of high school. Frank and Peggy were introduced by Peggy’s mother, Della and Frank’s sister-in-law, Jean. To this union 6 children were born. Frank entered the service and served in the Army Medical Corps from 1960-1964 after which he moved his family to Willow Springs, Missouri to begin practicing medicine as a G.P. with Dr. Miller. When Dr. Miller retired, Dr. Smith assumed the practice. During his 47-year career, he delivered over 3,500 babies, worked as a general surgeon and served the wide rural area around Willow Springs. Dr. Smith would often be on-call 24-hours daily, seeing patients after hours in his clinic as needed and making house calls. He even once made a house call 90 miles away in Springfield, Missouri! A local West Plains nursing home, Brook Haven, named a wing in his honor and in Willow Springs a ball field bears his name. He also served as Medical Director at Willow Care Nursing Home. He had many community connections: Willow Springs Rotary Club, Willow Springs Masonic Lodge, 32nd Degree Mason, Long-Time School Board President at Willow Springs, Team Doctor for the Willow Springs Football Team, Shriner with Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Mosque. Through his career in medicine and his community involvement, he was able to share in family moments in a unique way: he handed his daughter Becky her nursing cap, he delivered two of his children and many of his grandchildren. Following the death of his first wife, Frank married long-time friend Dorothy Treaster Smith on April 30, 2005. They had 15 years of marriage together and Frank often told of the joy she brought to his later years, having never exchanged a harsh word during their time together. He was a compassionate and caring individual with a kind-heart and a patient soul. Frank was a quiet man of faith leading by example first to his younger brother and then of course to his children. He even preached at a couple of churches as a part of the M.U. Wesley Foundation while in college. Frank loved to play hymns on the piano and sing, as well as playing many other instruments including: dulcimer, accordion, harmonica and banjo. He enjoyed playing golf and watching sports. He was a craftsman enjoying woodworking, string art and stained glass art as well. He enjoyed traveling, taking his family on many exciting vacations beginning with his own children, a station wagon and a pop-up trailer. He also went to Hawaii, Spain, Germany, Cancun, Thailand, Ireland and on an Alaskan cruise. He was even a pilot and flew a small airplane. He also had a motorboat and enjoyed time on the water with his family.
He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; five children, Angela Smith, Becky Dilks and husband, Bob, Nancy Lovan and husband, Martin, Lee Smith and wife, Mary, and Lance Smith and wife, Sandy; eleven grandchildren, Nathan Smith, Oliver Dilks, Rachael Dilks, Richard Smith, Emily Pipes, Austin Lovan, Thomas Smith, Lauren DiSalvo, Jared Lovan, Lacey Hoorman and Landen Smith; and five great-grandchildren, Mason, Ryan, Lillian, Rosalee and Remington; and one brother, Owen Smith and wife, Carol.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his first wife of forty-nine years, Peggy Smith, his daughter, Hollis Smith and four brothers.
He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Dr. Smith will lie in state from 10:00 a.m., until 12:00 Noon, Saturday, October 3, 2020 at the Langston Chapel of Robertson Drago Funeral Home; all are welcome to attend in celebration of Dr. C. Franklin Smith’s life. A private family graveside service will be at Howell Memorial Park Cemetery. Pastor David Lovan will officiate the ceremony. Memorial contributions can be sent to one of his favorite charities, Navajo School Foundation,15695 S CR 210 Altus, OK 73521 and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO 65775.
Vicki Cooper
September 21, 2020 @ 6:52 pm
RIP Dr. CF Smith. You were in my life since 1967 when you were a new and young doctor at OMC. I was a 12 year old pt and you saved my life. In OMC for 18 days for ruptured appendix. I loved you and trusted you. In 1979 you delivered my son LJ and in 1983 my daughter Kala Leeann. I hope you rest high on that mountain. You deserve it.
Wanda Isham Newman
September 23, 2020 @ 1:32 pm
Dr. Smith, you and Peggy were my second set of parents, you were my personal physician, and I was privileged to work with you. I loved your whole family. I know you, Peggy, and Holly are reunited.
mary sue meal
September 23, 2020 @ 3:36 pm
So sorry that your dad passed,he was our dr. An we enjoyed going to masons an Eastern star with your mom dad. Tammy an j.l. an i would see him when we would go to chens garden to eat Sunday dinner, havent been there since the virus it has been closed. Now he an your mom an holly are all together. Love you all mary sue me
Danette House
September 23, 2020 @ 9:26 pm
So sorry to hear of his passing. I hope you don’t mind if I share a story about this great man. He saved my life one night back in 1981. After trying for 3 months to treat me, all the Springfield doctors had given up on me and literally sent me home to die. My mom and dad took me to see Dr. Smith and he said that they had to get me to Mayo or St. Louis that day or I wasn’t going to make it. He said he knew of a doctor at Barnes but had to look through his records to find his name. After much searching, he found it. The MO Highway Patrol flew my mom and me to St. Louis where I walked into the ER with a hemoglobin of 3 (hematocrit of 9). Dr. Smith was 100% right. I had hemolytic anemia and would not have lived to see the next day without treatment. Dr. Smith, a humble, small town GP knew better than the numerous “specialists” in Springfield. I literally owe him my life. I am so sorry to see him go. The world has been so much better thanks to him. A life well-lived and much loved.
Kathy Beaty
September 24, 2020 @ 1:13 pm
Wow, what a Wonderful doctor and friend to all we nurses.
He delivered my 2nd daughter 41 years ago on Thanksgiving Day. He as all that knew him was a football NUT. He teased me saying, “Katie you have to hold that baby until half-time. ”
Laughing of course.
I had her at 4:31 that afternoon in between the games.
He patted me on the shoulder saying,” I knew you could do it.”
He had worked his way through pre-med at a nurses aid and would tell we nurses he knew just how hard we all worked.
There will never be another like him.
May he rest in peace.
You will be missed.
Kathy (Katie) Bray Cozort-Beaty, LPN (retired)
Judy( Counts) Wesley
October 3, 2020 @ 2:42 am
Dr Smith is somebody that will be remember’d by all those whom knew him . He was the kindest- caring Doctor & person I have ever known. He & Peggy moved up the road from my family with their 4 girls when I was 12 yrs. Old .Soon after they moved n- I started Babysitting for the girls& on some weekends It was the Smith & Nelson girls- ( 8 of the cutest little girls I ever seen.)Dr.Smith & Peggy were the” Biggest Blessing “a 12 yr. Old girl could ask for. I continued to Babysit you girls til I left 5 yrs. Later to attend University of Mo. ( Columbia) .I was so homesick & miss’d you girls & your Dad & Mom So much!I had become part of the family. I was there more than home.Dr. Smith deliver’d both my sons Jason & Matthew Siegrist.I know he is with Peggy-Holly- His parents & family whom was waiting to greet him as “God called him to his Eternal home.”Dr. Smith You made the World a better Place for those whom were Blessed to know you.”
Kathy Martin Abbott
September 24, 2020 @ 6:38 pm
I remember him comming to my home when I was 8 years old ravaged with a fever and could not stand any light hitting my eyes.He gave me a shot and told my grandma to put ice in bags and lay them around me till my fever would break.It worked.I grew up and he delivered my first child a girl in June 1973.I will always remember his kind smile and one doctor whom really cared.
Amber Redburn
September 24, 2020 @ 7:55 pm
The Smith Family,
My parents, Norris/Ivene Cozort, wanted me to extend their deepest sympathy to all of you upon the passing of Dr. C.F.Smith. Daily prayers for your family too. May God bless all of you.
In Christian Love,
Norris and Ivene Cozort
Katrina Nelson Hughes
September 25, 2020 @ 9:15 am
RIP Dr. Smith. You and your family are MY family. You delivered my children. You were like another parent to me. You will be greatly missed. ?
Laura Mapes
September 26, 2020 @ 3:40 pm
RIP He was a wonderful person I’ll remember him forever he is the one who delivered my daughter so sorry for your loss you have my love,prayers,and sympathy
Brenda Carney Westling
September 27, 2020 @ 5:48 pm
Rest In Peace, dear Dr. Smith. I can close my eyes and see you running across the old WSHS football field in 1962; when I was a freshman, through all the years of 5 miscarriages, helping me deal with the grief and sharing my joy when you delivered my first born! You were always there for my whole family! Many,many,many folks have the same stories I have and the same thankful memories! Well done, thou good and faithful servant.
Pastors Mark & Jacque Putnam
September 30, 2020 @ 8:19 am
It was our pleasure to know Dr. Smith for over 20 years. We always enjoyed his visits to Victory Church, Columbia MO. He was a great representative of a good Christian man. We know that his son Lee and family will miss him a lot in this life but we all look forward with great expectation to seeing him in the heavenly life. Blessings and peace to his family as they navigate through this time. Pastors Mark & Jacque Putnam
Michelle Caldwell
October 2, 2020 @ 12:09 pm
Dr. Smith, we may not have known you but you live on in the lives you have touched. You have left a wonderful legacy in your family. Thank you!
Peace with you all, Eagle River Christian School
Connie J Jacobs
October 2, 2020 @ 7:22 pm
I remember when my sister and I were preteens and we got hooping cough. My mother would not bring us to the doctor to get checked out and I know I was having a terrible time so doctor Smith drove all the way up to our farm and checked on us to make sure we were doing OK at no cost. He was a very good doctor and I knew Angela and Holly going to school with them. I am so sorry for your loss
Bill and Barb Easley
October 2, 2020 @ 8:10 pm
Dr. Smith had been our Doctor from the time he came to Willow Springs until his retirement. He and Bill served together on the Willow Springs School Board for several years. He was a great Doctor and gentleman. We send our prayers and sympathy for his family.
Bill and Barb Easley, Willow Springs
Dianna Simpson Weaver
October 3, 2020 @ 12:17 pm
I just learned of Dr Smith’s passing. He was a close family friend. He treated my whole family through many serious and scary times. He never failed to come when we needed him. He was a neighbor for years. He was patient, kind and very accomplished as a doctor. He treated my tonsillitis as a child and helped me through the loss of premature babies. I respected him a d loved him for always being there for our family. There will never be another doctor who worked harder or cared more than he did. God bless all of his family in this time of sorrow. He will always be remembered for his gift of healing and ministering to others. Love and prayers for his widow and children.
Darlis Vincent
October 4, 2020 @ 4:28 pm
One great man go rest you deserve it
Rosalea Cargill
October 7, 2020 @ 7:30 am
Dr. Smith was a great doctor, employer, and friend. We were neighbors in Willow Springs for 21 years. I worked in his business office part time for about 5 years, and it was easy to see how skilled, kind, and compassionate he was. He was our family doctor, he took care of all of us, and he absolutely saved the life of our daughter Danette. She had been in college in Springfield and was sent by the student health office to see a young and arrogant doctor who sent her to the hospital, then sent her Home without any treatment. She had grown so weak that we took her to see Dr. Smith. He solemnly told us she needed to go to Barnes that day or she would die, then he made arrangements for her to see a hematologist
This doctor came to Barnes to see her and get treatment started at midnight. We are so grateful for his care and have thanked him many times since then for saving our daughter. And we have thanked God for him always. Rest in Peace, dear Dr. Smith.