Vernon Leroy Smith, 90, went peacefully to Heaven to be forever with the Lord on February 20, 2026, at the Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha, Iowa.

Born March 27, 1935, in Coon Rapids, Iowa, he was the son of the late Rollo Preston Smith and Virginia Stella (Moore) Smith and the oldest of four brothers and two sisters. In sixth grade Vernon's family moved to nearby Glidden, Iowa. It was there, at age nine, at the foot of his mother, where he received Jesus Christ as his personal Savior.

Vernon lettered in high school basketball, baseball, and track, and led his church youth group. He graduated from Glidden High School in 1953. He attended the Omaha Baptist Bible Institute in Omaha, Nebraska, where he met Loretta Mueller, his wife of 64 years. They were married June 2, 1956, and had two sons, Dan in 1958 and Randy in 1961. Vernon graduated from OBBI in 1966 with a Bachelor's Degree in Bible.

After college Vernon pastored several churches – First Baptist in Altoona, Kansas, Calvary Baptist in Grinnell, Iowa, Faith Baptist in Oelwein, Iowa, and did church planting in Clermont, Florida.

After the boys left home, Vernon and Loretta settled in Greenville, South Carolina, for nearly 30 years where Vernon was a certified building contractor. They fellowshipped at Hampton Park Baptist Church. There Vernon directed the 'Men for Missions' ministry which packed and shipped large containers to missionaries around the world. He also ran their wood shop and built beautiful furniture and cabinets for many churches, camps, and missionaries. He went on a number of international mission trips working on teams in Uruguay, Canada, Haiti, and Mexico.

In 2013 Vernon and Loretta returned to Iowa and settled in Marion, to be near Dan's family and fellowshipped at Friendship Baptist Church in Cedar Rapids. They enjoyed a quiet life together there until Loretta passed away in 2020.

In 2022 following a prostate cancer diagnosis and a traumatic fall, Vernon entered into long term care at Village Ridge Assisted Living (now Thomas Grove) in Marion, Iowa, where he spent his final three plus years. As increasing dementia disabled his mind, he held tightly to his faith, reading the Bible, praying daily, and sharing his faith with those at the care center.

Vernon is survived by his two sons, Dan (Deb) Smith of Springville, Iowa, and Randy (Elena) Smith of Greenville, South Carolina. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.

Vernon was preceded in death by his wife Loretta, his parents, and all of his siblings.

Friends are welcome to visit with the family on Saturday, February 28, 2026, from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at the Friendship Baptist Church, 700 Boyson Road NE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The funeral service will begin at 11:00 AM with Pastor Wes Linville officiating. For anyone unable to attend in person, the church will be having a livestream of the service on their website at FriendshipBaptistChurch.com. Interment will follow at Shady Oak Cemetery, 789 2nd Ave, Marion, Iowa. Arrangements are by the Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids.

Pallbearers are grandsons Mike Smith, Brett Smith, Marcus Smith; grandson-in-laws Keith Baker and Marcus Allan; step-grandson Ryan Abodeely, and great-grandson Kyle Baker.

Honorary pallbearers are Joel Fopma and Paul Beck, who faithfully transported Vernon to and from church every Sunday for over three years, and his very good friends Gerry Schindler, Ivan McComb, and Larry Dietz from his church breakfast group.

The family of Vernon wishes to extend their heart-felt thanks to the wonderful Thomas Grove Assisted Living care-givers for their compassionate care over the last three years, to Pastor Wes Linville for his friendship to Vernon for many years, and to the Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy nurses for their kindness and support through Vernon's final days.

In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Vernon may be given to Friendship Baptist Church, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where they will be used in the Faith Missions Fund supporting missions in the U.S. and around the world.  That is what Vernon would have wanted.