Noah Thomas Smith was born on January 9, 1931 in Naples, Texas, where he lived until he was 9 years old. His parents were Henry L. Smith and Addie Lee Lawhon. His grandmother, Mae Lawhon, whom he called Mom Mae, raised him. He was the first of two children.
He attended Pine Bluff High School, Texas A&I Kingsville, and the University of Houston. He earned Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees in English Literature and completed coursework for a doctoral degree in English Literature.
He began his career as a teacher at Galena Park High School and served on the faculty of Lee College in Baytown from 1964-1994. He married Anita Louise Jaynes in 1976. In retirement, the couple moved to Canyon Lake, Texas.
Mr. Smith served honorably in the United States Air Force.
Mr. Smith enjoyed literature, the arts, and music. He was a founding member of a Lee College faculty book discussion group that met quarterly for 30 years. He recorded many of his music collections to share with friends and family. He loved his teaching career and students beyond measure.
Noah is preceded in death by his parents, Henry L Smith and Addie Lee Smith; grandmother, Mae Lawhon; sister, Carolyn Browning; sons, Craig Smith and Clay Smith and daughter, Melissa Smith.
He is survived by his wife, Anita Smith; step-daughters, Karen Williams and LeAnn Vaughn; sisters-in-law, Linda Schmer and Sharon Barrow; brothers-in-law, Stanley Schmer and Robert Jaynes; grandsons, Josh Smith, Paul Daniel Kilgore, Justin Noah Auch and William Vaughn; great grandchildren, children of Josh Smith, Jude Murray Kilgore and Brazos Belle Vaughn; nephews, Paul Browning, Jason Schmer and Josh Forrester; nieces, Marsa Alsandor, Jessica Schmer and Jennifer Forrester; great nephew, Logan Schmer and great nieces, Addison Schmer, Elly Forrester and Lilly Forrester.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 1, 2021 from 10am-11am at Earthman Baytown Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, May 1, 2021 at 11am at Earthman Baytown Funeral Home, 3919 Garth Rd., Baytown, Texas 77521. Committal Service will follow at Earthman Memory Gardens Cemetery, 8624 Garth Rd., Baytown, Texas 77521.
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