Visitation
Elgin Funeral Home-
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Email Details
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712 North Avenue C
Elgin, Texas 78621
1928
Harold
2017
Harold Smith, Sr.
December 4, 1928 — December 25, 2017
Harold Melvin Smith, Sr. “Smitty” was born on December 4, 1928, to Vesta and Harold Smith in Loma Linda, CA. He had one sister, Mildred, and two brothers, Wilford “Tex” and Ernest. He grew up in Elgin, TX and at the age of 22, joined the Army and then served in the Reserves. After serving in the Korean War, he came back to Elgin and purchased his grandfather’s farm. This was the beginning of his farming vocation.
Shortly after moving to Elgin, Smitty made a trip, to California to visit his parents. It was during this trip, on December 26, 1954 that he met the love of his life, Gladys Lillian Vera Cruz. He always enjoyed telling the story of how it was love at first sight. Four months later, May 1, 1955, was their wedding day and the beginning of their 62 years of marriage. Smitty brought Gladys back to Texas and continued with his business.
Throughout the years, Smitty had a candy business during the 1950’s and 1960’s, a dirt work business building stock ponds for farmers and ranchers, and a contract plowing business. He also grew tomatoes, cucumbers, peanuts, red potatoes and watermelons. Although these other crops were part of his harvest, the sweet potatoes were the main focus. This business grew to the point that the HEB food stores valued him as a primary supplier of sweet potatoes. HEB even made a commercial of the family farm business for one of their marketing campaigns. In fact, the community knew him as the “Potato Man."
Smitty lived his life with quiet confidence in God as the manager of all things. He enjoyed starting each day in quiet Bible study and prayer. He was an active member of the Elgin Seventh-Day Adventist Church and knew Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He demonstrated his faith in his love for his church and his family. Church activities, family excursions, and family vacations found Smitty doing what he could to make them a successful and memorable experience.
On Christmas Day, December 25, 2017, Smitty passed away peacefully at his home in Elgin, Texas, surrounded by family. He is survived by his wife, Gladys; his children and their spouses, Harold Smith and Debby of Burleson, TX, Cheryl Gale of East TX, Tina Smith of Austin, TX, Nathan and Joy Smith of Elgin, TX, and Leilani and Richard Stowell of Cleburne, TX; 13 grandchildren, Hailey and Kevin Smith, Cassie and Candie Smith, Jonathan Smith and Bianca, Amanda Smith Vazquez and spouse Arturo, Pamela Smith, Linsey Smith Rodriguez and spouse Mark, Ryan Smith, Keilani, Alan, Timothy, and Harold Stowell; 12 great-grandchildren, Samantha Gale-Sleeper, Katelyn and Nathaniel Smith, Jade Solis, Bethany, Adam, Michael, and Isaiah Vazquez, Annabell and Jewel Smith, Paige and Emma Rodriquez; and numerous cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and dear friends.
He is predeceased by his parents, Harold and Vesta Smith; his stepmother, Pearl Smith; his sister, Mildred Jensen; his brother, Ernest Smith; his son, Mark Smith; his infant daughter, Vesta Christine Smith; and four-month-old son, Timothy Smith.
The family received guests at the Elgin Funeral Home on Thursday, December 28th from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM. A Funeral Service was conducted at the Elgin Funeral Home on Friday, December 29th at 11:00 AM with Pastor Isaac Heath officiating. Interment will follow at the Pee Lee Cemetery, Elgin, Texas.
Psalms 37 & 103
Shortly after moving to Elgin, Smitty made a trip, to California to visit his parents. It was during this trip, on December 26, 1954 that he met the love of his life, Gladys Lillian Vera Cruz. He always enjoyed telling the story of how it was love at first sight. Four months later, May 1, 1955, was their wedding day and the beginning of their 62 years of marriage. Smitty brought Gladys back to Texas and continued with his business.
Throughout the years, Smitty had a candy business during the 1950’s and 1960’s, a dirt work business building stock ponds for farmers and ranchers, and a contract plowing business. He also grew tomatoes, cucumbers, peanuts, red potatoes and watermelons. Although these other crops were part of his harvest, the sweet potatoes were the main focus. This business grew to the point that the HEB food stores valued him as a primary supplier of sweet potatoes. HEB even made a commercial of the family farm business for one of their marketing campaigns. In fact, the community knew him as the “Potato Man."
Smitty lived his life with quiet confidence in God as the manager of all things. He enjoyed starting each day in quiet Bible study and prayer. He was an active member of the Elgin Seventh-Day Adventist Church and knew Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He demonstrated his faith in his love for his church and his family. Church activities, family excursions, and family vacations found Smitty doing what he could to make them a successful and memorable experience.
On Christmas Day, December 25, 2017, Smitty passed away peacefully at his home in Elgin, Texas, surrounded by family. He is survived by his wife, Gladys; his children and their spouses, Harold Smith and Debby of Burleson, TX, Cheryl Gale of East TX, Tina Smith of Austin, TX, Nathan and Joy Smith of Elgin, TX, and Leilani and Richard Stowell of Cleburne, TX; 13 grandchildren, Hailey and Kevin Smith, Cassie and Candie Smith, Jonathan Smith and Bianca, Amanda Smith Vazquez and spouse Arturo, Pamela Smith, Linsey Smith Rodriguez and spouse Mark, Ryan Smith, Keilani, Alan, Timothy, and Harold Stowell; 12 great-grandchildren, Samantha Gale-Sleeper, Katelyn and Nathaniel Smith, Jade Solis, Bethany, Adam, Michael, and Isaiah Vazquez, Annabell and Jewel Smith, Paige and Emma Rodriquez; and numerous cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and dear friends.
He is predeceased by his parents, Harold and Vesta Smith; his stepmother, Pearl Smith; his sister, Mildred Jensen; his brother, Ernest Smith; his son, Mark Smith; his infant daughter, Vesta Christine Smith; and four-month-old son, Timothy Smith.
The family received guests at the Elgin Funeral Home on Thursday, December 28th from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM. A Funeral Service was conducted at the Elgin Funeral Home on Friday, December 29th at 11:00 AM with Pastor Isaac Heath officiating. Interment will follow at the Pee Lee Cemetery, Elgin, Texas.
Psalms 37 & 103
Funeral Service
ELGIN FUNERAL HOME-
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Email Details
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712 North Avenue C
Elgin, Texas 78621 -
Pastor Isaac Heith Officiating
Interment
Pee Lee Cemetery-
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Email Details
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170 Potato Smith Road
Elgin, Texas 78621
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Harold Smith, Sr., please visit our flower store.
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