CARTHAGE - Funeral services for Carl Junior Smith, 75, of Gary, will be 2 p.m., today, September 1, 2009, at Hawthorn Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Gary Orr officiating. Interment will be in Whiterock Cemetery in Akins Community in Shelby County.
Mr. Carl Junior Smith was born June 28, 1934, in Grigsby, Shelby County, Texas to Joe "Monk" Engram and Della Smith. He passed away Saturday, August 29, 2009, at Whispering Pines Lodge in Longview, Texas surrounded by family and loving staff members. He married Rachel E. Hollis on December 19, 1953, and was blessed in marriage for 55 wonderful years before the Lord called him home. He worked for The American Can Company in Houston, Texas for 18 years. He also owned and operated wrecker services for over 30 years. In 1980, Carl moved to East Texas and was employed by Panola County Road and Bridge. In 1986, he operated the family business in Nacogdoches, Texas which consisted of a convenience store, tire shop, wrecker service, RV Park and an indoor and outdoor flea market. Carl's real hobbies were truck farming and fishing. His humor was like no one else's in the world. He was a friend to everyone and loved by all. Carl was preceded in death by his parents, loving stepfather, Wilburn Jefferson Luman and fourteen brothers and sisters.
Survivors include his loving wife, Rachel Smith of Gary; son, Bobby Smith of Gary; daughters, Helen and son-in-law Victor Slanina of Bastrop and Pattie and son-in-law Mark Foster of Tatum, the memories are many and will always be cherished; grandchildren, Carl Jeffrey Anderson, Pattie Lynn Foster, William Endsley, Megan Wilson, Rebecca Kennon, Christopher Endsley, Eric Endsley and Missy Foster who loved and will miss him; and great-grandchildren, Kolby and Miley Wilson. He leaves behind one sister, Geraldine Smith of Tenaha and one sister-in-law, Marilyn Smith of Tenaha as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
A heartfelt thank you to our loving family at Whispering Pines Lodge, Bethany Home Health Care and Texas Home Health Hospice. Memorials may be made to The Alzheimer's Alliance, The American Cancer Society or Texas Home Health Hospice.
