Kenneth Love Smith, Sr.

1947 - 2021  (74 years)

• Name	Kenneth Love Smith  [1, 2, 3]
  Suffix	Sr.
  Born	6 Feb 1947	Wharton County, Texas   [2]
  Gender	Male
  Died	31 Aug 2021	Texas
  Buried	6 Sep 2021	Plainview Cemetery (aka Plainview Family Cemetery), Pineland, Sabine County, Texas
  Notes	An article in the March 20, 2019 issue of The Sabine County Reporter reported about a reunion of Kenneth Smith of Bronson, and an army buddy, Carlton Oberholser, who were in drafted in October 1966, when Kenneth was just 19, took basic training togehter in Alabama, both eventually serving in Vietnam. A front page article in the same newspaper announced his death from Covid-19, titled "Community Suffers loss of Smith, West Sabine Board President." His obituary was also published in the same issue. on page 9: Kenneth Love Smith Sr., 74, of Pineland, TX passed away Tuesday August 31, 2021. Kenneth was born in Wharton, TX on February 6, 1947 to Britton and Helen Smith. Kenneth spent most of his life in Sabine County and he loved it here. He was a 1965 graduate of West Sabine High School. Soon after graduation he was drafted into the United States Army where he became Sergeant of the 19th Combat Engineer Battalion Company D, where he served a tour in Vietnam in 1967-1968. His experience in the Army played a very important role in his life. He frequently pointed out that the Army taught him the values of discipline, strength and team work. He knew how to get the job done. These values contributed to the many successes in his life. He was a proud Veteran and loved his country. Kenneth was very dedicated to serving his community. He was a lifetime member of the Sabine County VFW and a longtime member of the Pineland Service Club. He was a part of many Pineland Day Steering Committees, he served as The Pineland Early Learning Center Board of Directors and was on the Board of the Sabine County Activity & Nutrition Center. He has served on the West Sabine ISD School Board off-and-on since 1975, and was currently presiding as President of the board. Kenneth was the recipient of the Pineland Service Club's Community Service Award in 2017 for his dedication to his community and was always someone that could be depended on to step up and help where ever needed. One of his many passions was the youth in our community. He attended games, track meets, stock shows, bingos, bought raffle tickets, donated items for raffles, went to buffets and loved bake sales and cake auctions. Kenneth never met a stranger and had many friends all over. He was a fishing guide in his younger years and owned his own business and was a successful Oilfield Consultant. Kenneth loved playing 42 and was known to travel many miles for a 42 game. He had a way about him like no other. He was a loving Husband, Father, Peepaw, Brother, Uncle, Cousin and Friend. His generosity and fun loving spirit will be missed by so many. He was so very proud of his children, but his bond with his grandchildren was like no other. Kenneth is survived by his beloved and devoted wife of 53 years on September 14th, Ernesteen Smith of Pineland, TX; children, Ken Smith Jr. and wife, Glenda, of Pineland, Jereme Smith and wife, Cerri,of Hallettsville, Tracee Collins and husband, Jason, of Pineland, Aaron Smith of Pineland, and Sarah Smith of Pineland; sisters, Vessie Ferrell and husband, Thomas, of Spring, and Janice Smith Stewart of Pineland; brother-in-law, Allen Jagneaux; grandchildren, Keven Smith and wife, Vanessa, of Hallettsville, Katie Smith of Austin, Travis Smith of Austin, Kory Smith of Victoria, Cecelia Loos of Victoria, Sr. Airman, Simon Loos of Valdosta Air Force Base in Georgia, Kwin Smith of Hallettsville, Jaxon Collins of Pineland, and Cooper Collins of Pineland. He is preceded in death by his loving parents, Britton and Helen Smith and sister, Helen "Blossom" Jagneaux Graveside services will begin at 10:00 a.m. Monday, September 6, 2021 in Plainview Cemetery under the direction of Starr Funeral Home with Bro. Curtis White and Bro. Floyd Wright officiating. Serving as pallbearers are Keven Smith, Kory Smith, Travis Smith, Simon Loos, Jaxon Collins, Cooper Collins, Doug Welch, and Rodney Burch. Honorary pallbearers are Brothers of the 19th Combat Eng. BN. Company D 67-68, Benny Jacks, Carlton Oesterheld, Millard Smith, and Stephen Parnell. Military Honors will be provided by the Sabine County Honor Guard. Condolences can be made and guest book may be signed online at starrfuneralhome.com. A full military honors ceremony will take place at Plainview Cemetery on Monday, September 6, 2021. Finally, The Sabine County Reporter, on September 29, 2021, included an additional story titled "Recognizing School Board President and community leader, Kenneth Smith" This detailed the proclamation which recognized almost 48 years of dedication and service by board president Smith to the West Sabine community. The document, after being read into the minutes of the meeting and signed, was presented to Ernesteen Smith, wife, and Tracee Collins, daughter of Smith. They also received the name plate which marked Smith's seat for many years.: A photo of Dr. Carnelius Gilder with Tracee Collins and Ernesteen Smith, with his name plate was included.
  Person ID	I33924	Strong Family Tree
  Last Modified	26 Oct 2022

  
  

  Father	Britton Love Smith,   b. 23 Jun 1916, Time, Sabine County, Texas ,   d. 29 Jun 1995, Nacogdoches County, Texas  (Age 79 years)
  Mother	Helen Lorraine Kopecky,   b. 11 Apr 1923, El Maton, Matagorda County, Texas ,   d. 11 Jan 1997, Houston, Harris County, Texas  (Age 73 years)
  Married	Y  [3]
  	Issue: Helen m J.A. Williams, (children, Wendy and Holly); Vessie m Thomas Ferrell; Janice Smith, Kenneth L. m Ernestine King. (Issue: Kenneth L., Jr.) (White and Toole, p 33).
  Family ID	F6435	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Living
  Children	1. Living   2. Living   3. Living
  Last Modified	23 Oct 2022
  Family ID	F8020	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Event Map		Born - 6 Feb 1947 - Wharton County, Texas Died - 31 Aug 2021 - Texas Buried - 6 Sep 2021 - Plainview Cemetery (aka Plainview Family Cemetery), Pineland, Sabine County, Texas  = Link to Google Earth
  Pin Legend	: Address       : Location       : City/Town       : County/Shire       : State/Province       : Country       : Not Set

  
  

• Sources

  [S336] The Sabine County Reporter, P.O. Box 700, Hemphill, Texas (Published Weekly), (Founded in 1883, The Sabine County Reporter (USPS 474-660) is published once a week on Wednesday. The Reporter is Published by Sabine County Reporter, Inc. Postmaster: Send change of address to P.O. Box 700, Hemphill, Texas 75948-0700. The Sabine County Reporter and The Rambler merged March 1, 1988. Member National Newspaper Association and Texas Press Association.), July 5, 1995, Page 8 (Reliability: 3). [S266] Ancestry.com - Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997 [database online], (Ancestry.com Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2005. Original data: Texas. Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997. Texas: Texas Department of State Health Services. Microfiche.). [S336] The Sabine County Reporter, P.O. Box 700, Hemphill, Texas (Published Weekly), (Founded in 1883, The Sabine County Reporter (USPS 474-660) is published once a week on Wednesday. The Reporter is Published by Sabine County Reporter, Inc. Postmaster: Send change of address to P.O. Box 700, Hemphill, Texas 75948-0700. The Sabine County Reporter and The Rambler merged March 1, 1988. Member National Newspaper Association and Texas Press Association.), January 15, 1997, page 8 (Reliability: 3).