Terry Payne Smith

A celebration of his life will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, May 17, 2014 at Johnson’s Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. James Hassell officiating. Interment will be at 4:00 P.M., Saturday, May 17, 2014 at Eastlawn Memorial Park in Early, Texas.

Terry was born May 23, 1932 in Ingram, Texas to Roy Edward and Eron Olene Payne Smith, and was raised on the family farm in Talpa, Texas. After graduating from Talpa High School, he attended Hardin Simmons University, and Howard Payne College, where he met the love of his life, Marquita La-Gean Smith in chapel. They married on September 20, 1952 and shared over 61 beautiful years together before she preceded him in death on March 31, 2014. Terry was a loving husband, father and grandfather, who devoted his life to his Lord. He was called to minister to his wife and children, and lived an exemplary life as a man of God. His integrity, honesty and ethics were the key tools he used in his business career as an insurance claims adjuster. The last 10 years prior to his retirement were spent working as a “Storm Trooper” taking him to various parts of the US to perform insurance field work. Terry had a great appreciation for classical music, and loved to whistle or sing along; and was a long-time member of the adult choir of both Crestview Baptist Church in Midland and First Baptist Church of San Angelo. He enjoyed reading, puttering in the yard, playing hand-and-foot with his Sunday School Dept. at the BRC Clubhouse, photography, public speaking, and loved discussing politics. Terry was a member of the Pachyderm Club, Toastmasters International, and served as a Precinct Judge for Tom Green County Elections Office. He was an incredible father and grandfather and we will carry him in our hearts forever!

Terry was a preceded in death by his parents and sister, Mary O’Rear. He is survived by his children: Deborah Stauffer and husband Christian of Mount Airy, NC, Curtis Mark Smith and wife Connie Dee of Claremore, OK, Judy Davis of Lubbock, TX, Ronnie Smith and wife Rachel of Midland, TX, Jeannie Eads and husband Larry of Odessa, TX, and Tim Smith and wife Sari of Midland, TX; 12 grandchildren: April Grisham, John Mark Houdyshell, Marybeth Del Rio, Gretchelyn Del Rio, Ian Davis, Evan Davis, Dylan Davis, Katie Smith, Sara Smith, Kristen Covington, Jordan Eads and Hannah Smith; 8 great-grandchildren; his brother, Sidney Smith of Marble Falls, TX; his sisters, Gayle Sanders and husband Pat of Weatherford, TX, and Glenda Colter and husband Jim of Salem, OR.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in San Angelo.