Norris Edward Smith

Funeral services for Norris Edward Smith, 91, of Lufkin, will be held Sunday, December 14, 2014 at 3:30 p.m. in Lufkin’s First Baptist Church Chapel with Reverend Aubrey Knox and Aaron Edward Smith officiating. Private interment will be at the Garden of Memories Memorial Park.

Mr. Smith was born February 24, 1923 in the Eden Community in Nacogdoches County to Thomas Jefferson Smith and Connie (Anderson) Smith and died December 11, 2014, in a local nursing home.

He joined the Army in 1939 after dropping out of school at the age of 16. While stationed at Camp Wolters, he met Maurice Stevens. They married on October 2, 1941. He trained paratroopers as part of the Greatest Generation. He was sent to Ft. Benning, Georgia.

Mr. Smith received his GED and his BA from Stephen F. Austin University. He taught auto mechanics at Lufkin High School and retired as a counselor. His hobby was inventing different types of mechanical engines. He was a deacon and a member of Lufkin’s First Baptist Church, and a member of the Friendly Class. Mr. Smith had resided in Lufkin all of his life.

Survivors include daughter and son-in-law, Trudy and Charles Durrett of Granbury; son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Kathy Smith of Waco; daughter, Karen Hay of Lufkin; grandchildren and spouses, Amy and David March of New Zealand, Molly and Brad Drake of Frisco, Jennifer and Bryan Sessions of Alto, Lee and Monica Hay of Longview, Wes and Rosemary Hay of White Oak, Shannon and Derek Michaelis of Houston, Aaron and Elise Smith of Waco and grandson Shane Smith of Houston; great-grandchildren, Livia and Connor Sessions, Logan and Charley March, Carter, Avery and Spencer Hay, Brody and Maggie Drake, Addison Hay, Justin, Levi and Lexi Michaelis, Joshua and Daniel Smith; and sister Margie Johnson and brother Raymond Smith, both of Nacogdoches.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Maurice Smith, parents and siblings, James Smith, Bill Smith, G. W. Smith, and Barbara Collins.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lufkin’s First Baptist Church, 106 East Bremond, Lufkin, Texas 75901 or Hospice in the Pines, 1504 West Frank Avenue, Lufkin Texas 75904.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

The family would like to thank the staff of Pinecrest, especially the George Henderson Unit, for their loving and compassionate care.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.
Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.