James Grady Smoot, age 78, passed away November 8, 2025 at Mercy Hospital South in St Louis, MO.

He was born March 5, 1947 in Scooba, MS, son of the late Walter Smoot and Willie Bell Carter-Smoot.

James worked for General Motors as a crane operator. He enjoyed gardening, yard work, and working on cars. He was a handyman and loved talking on the C.B.

On April 12, 1981 he was married to Carol Foreman-Smoot, she survives of the home in Bertrand, MO.

Other survivors include three sons, James P. (Kim) Smoot, Larry E. Smoot, and Tyrone Smoot; two daughters, Phyllis D. (Maurice) Bryant and Toni (Timothy) Smith; five brothers, Willie (Ida) Smoot, George (Ollie) Smoot, Charles Smoot, Jesse Lee Smoot, and Hubert (Callie) Smoot; six sisters, Hattie Manuel, Ella Segers Backus, Glendora (James) Green, Laura Williamson, Martha (Gary) Wilson, and Linda (James) Williams; a special friend and brother, Robert Lee Smoot; and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, James was preceded in death by two sons, Steve Smoot and Stacy Smoot; one daughter, Lisa Jones; three brothers, Walter Smoot Jr., John Smoot, and Mack Smoot; and two sisters, Carolyn Smoot and Mary Sharon.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 15, at 1:00 p.m. at Ponder Funeral Home in Sikeston, Missouri. Family members are requested to arrive at 12:30 p.m.