Franklin "Brownie" Delano Smith

Franklin "Brownie" Delano Smith, age 85, of Nixa, formerly of Kimberling City, passed away Thursday, December 21, 2017. He was born July 8, 1932, in Black Rock, Arkansas, where he grew up. On January 19, 1953, Brownie married Mary Ellen Holobaugh, in Swifton, Arkansas. Brownie joined the Army in February of 1954. He served two years and upon his discharge, went to college on the G.I. Bill. He obtained his teaching degree. Brownie spent most of his teaching and coaching career at Van Buren High School in Van Buren, Missouri. Brownie was most known for coaching basketball. He was one of the first coaches to be inducted into the Missouri Basketball Hall of Fame. Through the years, Brownie cultivated many friendships and associations with fellow coaches and referees. One of his favorite activities was to spend time fishing at Table Rock Lake, and sharing basketball stories at the cabin with his many friends and family. Coach Smith cared about every player. He made sure that all team members needing financial assistance had all the equipment they needed. He stressed the importance of education to his students and players. Brownie did his best to get his players scholarships to further their education. In addition to fishing on Table Rock, Brownie also enjoyed fishing in the Current River. Quail hunting was another pastime. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Elks Club in Kimberling City. Brownie's pride and joy were his three grandchildren, and he was proudest of the fact that each of them obtained a college education. Brownie is survived by his wife of 64 years, Mary Ellen; two sons, Tony Smith, and his wife, Debra, of Springfield, and Scott Smith, and his companion, Kerry Knight, of Ozark; grandchildren Cortney Smith, and her partner, Jacob Killion, of Oberlin, Ohio, Tanner Smith, and his wife Emilie, of Washington, D.C., and Logan Smith, of Springfield; and a brother, Jerome Smith, and his wife Emmy Lou, of Illinois. Brownie was preceded in death by his parents and six brothers. A visitation will be held from 10 am to 12 noon Wednesday, December 27, 2017, in Adams Funeral Home, Nixa. A graveside service will be held at 12:30 pm Delaware Cemetery, at Nixa. Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Van Buren High School Athletic Department, P.O. Box 550, Van Buren, MO, 63965. Arrangements are under the direction of Adams Funeral Home, Nixa.