Jerry Thurman Smith

Jerry Thurman Smith of Hagansport, Texas passed away at home on July 25, 2023.  He was born on September 5, 1940, to Thurman William and Bessie Rachel Smith, who preceded him in death.  He was also preceded in death by his brother Donald Ray Smith, daughter Peggy Smith and a granddaughter, Kassie Cervantez.  He married Nancy Gieger Smith on December 29, 1979.

He is survived by his wife Nancy, and six children—Jerry Smith, Jr. and Anita of Gilmer, Texas, Scott Smith and Deanna of Mineola, Texas, Donya Barker, and Rusty of Hagansport, Texas, Susan Lee and Dewayne of Pittsburg, Texas, Stacey Tenery and Jimmy Ball of Mt. Vernon, Texas, Julie Williams and Joel of Winnsboro, Texas; and brother, Larry Smith and Lana of Rosewood, Texas.  He is survived by 13 grandchildren, Dustin Ebarb, Clayton Tenery and Kara, Colton Tenery, Jonathan Barker and Shala, Blake Barker and Erica, Christopher Barker, David Cervantez, Jerry Wayne Smith, Rachel Marie Molesworth and Scott, Sarah Graves and Jason, Erica Spear and Dylan, Victoria Lee, and Brunson Lee.  He is survived by 13 great-grandchildren—Daniel Graves, Aven and Parker Molesworth, Ty Grigsby, Camryn and Korbyn Spear, Darcie Barker, Colby Barker, Brixton Barker, Mikah Barker, Marlee Cervantez, Daniel Barker and Chevy Barker; as well numerous nieces and nephews; special friends, Tommy and Delores Nevels of Diana, Texas; Ed and Jean Pamplin of Mount Vernon, Texas.

Jerry was a man of few words, but showing his family that he loved them spoke louder than any words ever could. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He had a way with his grands that were cranky or crying, taking them for rides on the lawn mower usually did the trick.

He retired from Texas Utilities Mining Company in 1997 and worked for Lone Star Steel and Trail Mobile in Longview prior to that.  In his retirement years, he was part owner of the Tom & Jerry Stump Grinding Company. He was a hard-working man and could be seen sand blasting, grinding stumps (even at the age of 82), and tinkering on vintage cars.  He loved his cars and trucks, and he even took some of them to car shows.  In his spare time Jerry would fish as much as he could.

He was a faithful member of Mount Olive Baptist Church in Hagansport where he was a deacon.

Pallbearers will be Dustin Ebarb, Clayton Tenery, Colton Tenery, Jonathan Barker, Jared Davis, Jason Davis, Christopher Barker, and Blake Barker.

The Visitation will be held at the Mount Vernon Memorial Funeral Home on Thursday, July 27, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The Funeral Service will be held at the Mount Vernon Memorial Funeral Home on Friday, July 28, 2023, at 11:00 a.m., with the Burial to follow at the Hagansport Cemetery.