Ronald E. Smith

Funeral services for Ronald E. Smith, 71, of Corrigan will be held Friday, July 27, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church Corrigan with Brother C.G. “Buster” Grigg officiating. Interment will follow in the Union Springs Cemetery.

Mr. Smith was born April 28, 1947 in Camden, Texas to the late Clara (Jackson) and Fred Edward Smith, and died Tuesday, July 24, 2018 in a Livingston nursing home. He was a lifetime resident of Corrigan.

His first line of work was in “groceries” for the Edens-Birch Company Store, later Fred Smith Grocery, where he started as a delivery boy. Upon graduating from Corrigan High School in 1965 he enrolled in the University of Houston for a time until he succumbed to “truck driving fever”.

Loaded with pipe, Mr. Smith traveled the road to the Alaskan Pipeline as a driver for Jack B. Kelley Trucking under the tutelage of his beloved uncle and mentor, Gene Jackson. Ironically that same life skills teacher gently steered him down a different path.

He owned and operated Smith Furniture & Appliance in Corrigan for 15 years, during which time he also served as a reserve peace officer for the City of Corrigan.

Mr. Smith obtained his insurance license in 1988. He served as an agent for American National for a number of years before joining TWFG as an Independent Agent. Thirty years of his life were devoted to providing insurance service to individuals all across the State of Texas.

Perhaps his most important and longest held job was that of genuine entertainer. He gave life to a cast of characters who are long passed, keeping their spirit alive. He loved a good story and a good joke, whether he was making it or telling it. He never met a stranger and left an impression wherever he went.

Mr. Smith was a 32nd Degree Mason with the Corrigan Masonic Lodge #1103 A.F. & A.M. and a member of First Baptist Church Corrigan.

Survivors include his wife, Nelda (Fann) Smith of Corrigan; daughters and sons-in-law, Kelly and Roger Shadix, Kris and Stevie Willson, all of Corrigan; son and daughter-in-law, Will and Lisa Powell of Corrigan; grandson, Drew Jones and wife Caitlin of Texarkana; granddaughters, Kimberly Bull and husband Josh of Moscow and Hana Powell of Corrigan; great-grandchildren, Mckinley and Reagan Jones, both of Texarkana, Leia and Lane Bull, Emma Evans and Parker Bull, all of Moscow; mother of Kelly, Margaret Smith of Corrigan; and aunt, Veda Jackson of Corrigan.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Pallbearers will be Ryan Burris, Larry Turner, Larry Burris, David Ferry, Carl Eidson and Richard Loving.

Honorary pallbearers will be John Paul Purvis, Duncan Garner, Jimmy Taylor, Charlie Stovall, Joe Gassiott, and all of the members of the Den of Knowledge.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Union Springs Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 475, Corrigan, Texas 75939, First Baptist Church Corrigan Building Fund, 103 N. Collins Street, Corrigan, Texas 75939, or Corrigan Masonic Lodge #1103, 200 E. Front Street, Corrigan, Texas 75939.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday evening at First Baptist Church Corrigan.

The family would greatly appreciate your memories of Ronnie be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.