Edwin "Eddie" Elbert Smith

Eddie passed away at home on Sunday, February 22, 2015 at the age of 87. Eddie was born to Elbert and Betty (Hood) Smith in Caldwell, Texas in 1927. He was one of nine children. Eddie entered the United States Navy in 1942 as a medic. He was present on the United States ship when Japan surrendered in 1945 ending World War II. He completed his military service in 1947, receiving many metals and honors. In 1952 he met the love of his life, Virginia Ruth Baker at Eagle Rock Dude Ranch in Wimberley, Texas. They married in 1954 at the University of Texas Methodist Chapel. They were blessed with three children: Deborah Ruth, Gina Marie, and Maurice Edwin. Eddie was a graduate of the Culinary Institute of New York City and throughout his life he owned and operated many restaurants and clubs in the Austin area. He was a man of many hats. Eddie loved hunting, fishing, and cooking, farming, and spending time with his four grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. They brought him great joy.

Eddie is preceded in death by his parents, six of his siblings, and his daughter Gina Marie. He is survived by his wife, Virginia Ruth Smith, daughter Deborah Ruth Smith Stalbaum and her husband Robert Stalbaum, son Maurice (Mo) Edwin Smith and his fiancé Angela Stalbaum, his grandchildren, Robert Lenley Stalbaum Jr., Meaghan Ruth-Marie Stalbaum, Jennifer Michelle Stalbaum, Clint Joseph Smith, his great-grandchildren Corbin Lenley Stalbaum, Kayla Gayle Stalbaum, Jaxon Oliver Stephenson, Makenna Ruth Stephenson, Parker Clemmer, Jarrett Clemmer.

The family would like thank Gentiva Hospice and a Special Caregiver "Cholita Escarilla" for the comfort and care they provided for Eddie and the family at our time of need.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from six o’clock until eight o’clock in the evening, on Thursday, the 26th of February 2015, at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, Texas.

Funeral services will be conducted at ten o’clock in the morning on Friday, the 27th of February 2015, at Memorial United Methodist Church, 6100 Berkman Drive, Austin, Texas. Interment will follow in Cook-Walden Memorial Hill Cemetery, Pflugerville, Texas.