Smith, Earl L. 


MARSHALL -- Services for Earl L. Smith, 60, of Kilgore, will be held 4 p.m. 
Sunday, May 7, 2006, at Church on the Rock in Kilgore, with Associate Pastor 
Gary Marrone officiating. Earl was born March 8, 1946, in Crab Orchard, West 
Virginia, to Earl S. and Cledith Smith. He went home to be with his Lord on 
Tuesday, May 2, 2006. He joined the United States Army at a young age and 
was stationed in Germany. He was a staff sergeant who bravely served his 
country during three tours of Vietnam. He was honored with the Purple Heart, 
National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign 
Medal, the Bronze Star, and many other awards from service. Mr. Smith retired 
from the United States Army in 1978, and continued serving others as a law 
enforcement officer in West Virginia. He moved back to Texas in 2003 to marry 
the love of his life. He was an active member of Church on the Rock, where he 
served as usher. He was a true Southern gentleman; to know him was to love him. 
Mr. Smith was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Harold, Bernard, and 
Dennis Ray Smith; and a sister, Florence "June" Smith. He is survived by his 
beloved wife, Billie "Gay" Smith of Kilgore; a son, Michael Smith and 
daughter-in-law, Erica; a daughter, Rashell Garcia and son-in-law, Steven; 
daughters, Brenda Smith and Patricia Navarez; step-son, Patrick Vestal and 
daughter-in-law, Jasmin; 10 grandchildren, Brandon, Emily, and Austin Smith, 
Melayna and Blake Garcia, Jessica, Louis, and Michael Navarez, Emily Vestal, 
and Jayd Wilde; and one great-grandchild. He is also survived by six sisters, 
Faye Forren, Lillian Crane, Junita "Nita" Beverly and husband, Sonny, Pat 
Sorrells and husband, Larry, Irma Smith, and Shirley Tolosa and husband, Tony; 
and many nieces and nephews. The family will receive visitors 4-6 p.m. Saturday, 
May 6, 2006, at at the church. All flowers may be sent after 1 p.m. Saturday, 
May 6, 2006, and Sunday, May 7, 2006, to Church on the Rock. Arrangements are 
under the direction of Lewis Funeral Home in Marshall.

Published in the Longview News-Journal on 5/5/2006.