Marcus Monroe Smith

MARCUS MONROE “WATERMELON MAN” SMITH
Marcus Monroe “Watermelon Man” Smith, 51, of Independence, MO, departed this life on Tuesday, December 14, 2021. Marcus was born on July 07, 1970, in Broken Bow, OK, to James Monroe Smith and Billie Jean Smith. After graduating from Broken Bow High School, Marcus attended college on the campus of Langton University, where he pledged Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. He later moved to Kansas City, Missouri in 1996. Though he moved into the city; he remained a pure country boy his entire life.

Marcus had many natural skills, talents, and hobbies that earned him additional income, nevertheless, Marcus was a truck driver by trade. More than his skills and talents were the amount of family and friends who loved him dearly. Marcus was known to many as the “human pawnshop”. He would acquire lots of things saying, he knew someone who could or would use it, so he would buy it, just to turn around and sell it.

And of course, many of us will fondly remember him as “The Watermelon Man”, parked around the city, selling watermelons from the back of his silver truck, always smiling, always happy to make a new friend.

Marcus had many organizational affiliations, of those he cherished the most were, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc; And oh, how he loved the Brothers! He was also a Master Mason, and a prestigious member, and president, of the “Force One” biker club. Additionally, having Native American heritage, Marcus was a member of The Choctaw Nation Indian Tribe.

On the rare occasion that Marcus took a break from work, he enjoyed spending time with friends and family, fishing, cooking, being outdoors. He was a gentleman, who was always willing to do anything, for anyone. Marcus was preceded in death by his father, James Monroe Smith and brother Lee Anthony Burton.

Left to cherish Marcus’ memory are his mother, Billie Smith; fiancé, Cori Henderson; his children, Desirae Smith Jones and her husband, Charles Jones, of Grandview, MO, Devion Newton, of Oklahoma City, OK, and Aubriel Smith, of Grandview, MO; those to whom Marcus was a father figure, Omar Brown, of Kansas City, MO, Ma’Quyie A.E. Henderson, of Kansas City, MO, and Shamar Brown, of Kansas City, MO; his grandchildren, Emerson Jones and Ariyra Jones, of Grandview, MO, Ashton Shane Robinson, of Grandview, MO, Aydin Newton, of Oklahoma City, OK; those to whom he was grandfather figure to, Amir S. Brown, of Kansas City, MO and Alyce Brown, of Kansas City, MO. He also leaves a brother, Charles Burton; a sister Carmen Smith; a nephew Charles Burton Jr; and 2 nieces, Brianna Burton and Jaiden Smith; his faithful Q; “One Force” brotherhood; and countless friends.

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