Verl Smith was born on August 29, 1941, to Arthur and Martha Smith of Bakersfield, CA. He grew up in Rosedale among his family and friends and attended the Rosedale Bible Church for many years. In 1970, Verl moved to the Good Shepherd Home of the West in Terra Bella, CA., where he lived until the 1980's. Since that time, Verl has lived in Bakersfield in a small group home associated with Lutheran Bethesda Communities. During the late 80s and 90s Verl was associated with BARC. In addition, Verl enjoyed an active social life with NAPD (New Advances for People with Disabilities), where he took part in ssewing, visits to Valley Plaza, attending dances at various senior centers and dining out(fried chicken was his favorite dish). Verl was also an avid bowler for many years when his health was stronger, and he enjoyed spending time with family members on holidays and other family occasions. Verl is survived by his brother Ervin Smith of Bakersfield and sister Phyllis Putnam of Bodfish, as well as several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great- nephews. Verl was preceded in death by two brothers, Leo and Aron Smith and sister Evelyn Day of Pensacola, Florida. The Smith family would like to extend our deepest heartfelt thanks to the ladies of the Good Shepherd Communities for your commitment to Verl and your gentle, loving care of him over the years. You and the other members of his group home were his family and we know he loved you all very much. We are also grateful to Mercy Hospital Hospice Care for your kindness to Verl and our family the past few weeks. A funeral service was held on July 5, 2010 at the Peters Funeral Home in Shafter with interment at the Shafter Memorial Park