Donald Lester Smith, 79, of Lumberton, passed away November 24, 2011. A celebration of his life, with his nephew, Rev. Todd Francois, pastor of Gateway Tabernacle Church officiating, will be held Sunday, November 27, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of Claybar Kelley-Watkins Funeral Home with burial and military honors to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. There will be a gathering of family and friends Saturday, November 26, 2011 from 4:00 to 7:00 at the funeral home.
Don held three things important to him, God, Family and Country. He was a longtime member of Florida Ave. Baptist Church in Beaumont. Among his important contributions were the church bus ministry for children and teaching Sunday School. After his retirement from Iron Workers Local 125 this experience lead him to another vocation, that of driving a bus for the Lumberton ISD. After several years of driving the bus he became the dispatcher for transportation for LISD. He was known affectionately as ?Mr. Don? to the entire district.
A veteran of the Air Force, Don served during the Korean War. He was a member and Past Commander of American Legion Post 72 of Lumberton. He served with the South East Texas Veterans Service Group providing military funeral honors to other veterans. Don was also a member of the Masonic Lodge #1320 of Lumberton, TX.
Donald was born September 14, 1932 in Beaumont, TX to Edgar Adam and Myrtle West Smith. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Gwynne Hickman Smith; son, Donald L. ?Smutt? Smith and his wife Rosemarie ?Tu? Smith of Palestine, TX; daughter, Julie Smith Gentile and her husband, Steve of Nederland, TX; grandchildren, Aubrey Brisendine and wife Katie, Raychel Donaghue, Colby Smith and wife Katie, Blake Gentile and Michelle Flores, Chase Gentile, Kristy Sirmons; great-grandchildren, Page and Chance Sirmons, Nicholas and Tristin Donaghue, Maggie, Sophie and Emma Smith, Camden Brisendine; brothers, Jerry Smith and wife Glenda, Freeman Smith and wife, JoAnn; sisters Ruby Francois and husband Tommy, Betty Gable and husband Billy, and Judy Pope and a host of well-loved nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Edgar, Bobby, Arthur, Wilbur, Willard and Johnny Smith and sister, Elaine McCormick.
God, Family and Country, were defined by Don as his Lord God, the many people he loved as family and the United States of America that he so proudly served.
Those who wish may make contributions to the American Legion Post 72, P. O. Box 30184, Lumberton, TX. 77657.