Roy Lee Smith, 86, passed through the door and into his heavenly reward on June 1, 2018, at home and at peace. No services are pending at this time.

Mr. Smith was born in Eastland on February 14, 1932, to James Milton (J.M.) and Dorah Pearl (Glenn) Smith. He attended Eastland High School where he played football for the Mavericks and met his sweetheart, Wanda June Richardson. On December 10, 1949, he and Wanda wed in front of a small gathering of family and friends at the First Baptist Church in Eastland.

Roy Lee Smith was a hard-working business man who led by example. He began working in his father's plumbing company, Smith Plumbing, as a young man. He earned his Master Plumber's License to continue to run and eventually own the family business for over 50 years. Mr. Smith also owned and operated S & S Ice Company in Cisco and Greater Life Bible Bookstore in Eastland for many years. Roy Lee Smith worked late into the evenings and on weekends to provide for his family, and they would often see him come home dirty from the day's jobs with his pant leg inevitably caught in one boot.  Each night, he relaxed in his chair with a big bowl of ice cream or popcorn.

Even with a strong business mind, Mr. Smith was also gifted artistically. He designed and built onto his current family home in addition to two others.  He was a skilled woodworker, whittling things from the size of a peach pit to custom window frames and cabinetry to eventually his own casket.

Mr. Smith was also dedicated to serving his community. He was an active member of the Rotary Club, serving as President, and an integral member of the Eastland County Historical Society that renovated the still-in-use Majestic Theatre.  In addition, he spearheaded the group who wrote, published, and collected information for the Eastland County History Book.  During his research, he was inspired to write, cast, and produce a play depicting the First Wedding in Eastland County.

Roy Smith was extremely dedicated to his hobby and passion of family genealogy. Starting well before the days of the internet, Mr. Smith has been researching his family's tree for over 40 years, collecting numerous stories and troves of photographs along the way.  He gave all of his grandchildren a copy of the tree back in 2000, which he had traced back to Eleventh Century Europe. Roy loved to update his family on all of the new discoveries he continued to make along the way, which he continued to enjoy up to the time of his death.

Perhaps most importantly, Roy Smith was a devout servant of his personal Savior, Jesus Christ. He taught Sunday School and led the singing at both the Assembly of God and Church of God in Eastland. Worshipping with his wife by his side, Mr. Smith could be found almost every Sunday in a pew.

Mr. Smith was blessed with an abundant and loving family. Even though he rarely said the words, they all knew how much he cared. He supported his grandchildren at countless football games, school assemblies, and graduations through the years. Roy Lee Smith was preceded in death by his parents, J.M. and Pearl Smith; brother Leo Smith; sisters Lula Mae (Smith) Basham and Evelyn Rose Smith; and son-in-law Greg Daniel.  He is survived by his wife of nearly 70 years, Wanda; brother Barney of Alamo Heights; children Mildred Stroud of Eastland, Kay Branham and husband Dexter of Desdemona, Mike Smith of Cisco, and James Smith of Eastland; grandchildren Doug Mannke of Eastland, Joe Mannke and wife Michelle of Burleson, Bryan Mannke and wife Kim of Abilene, Sandra (Daniel) Hancock and husband Darren of Waco, Bessie (Smith) Garcia and husband Gilbert of Eastland, Roy D. Smith and wife Miranda of Cisco, Rusty Smith and wife Erika of Louisiana, and Jackie (Wolfe) Boner and husband Roger of Ranger; as well as sixteen great-grandchildren (with one more on the way), three great-granddaughters, and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family wishes to thank the number of health care workers who have tended to Mr. Smith over the years, especially the hospice nurses who made the last days much more comfortable for him.