Helen Lorraine Kopecky

Notes:

The Sabine County Reporter
January 15, 1997, page 8

Helen Smith

Helen Lorraine Smith, 73, of Pineland died Saturday, Jan. 11, 1997, at Hermann Medical Center in Houston.

Born April 11, 1923, in El Maton, Texas, Mrs. Smith had lived in Pineland since 1945. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Pineland and was a homemaker.

Survivors: a son, Kenneth Love Smith Sr. of Bronson; three daughters, Helen Louise JAGNEAUX of Sulphur, Louisiana, Vessie L. FERRELL of Houston; and Janice L. MOBSBY of Pineland; two sisters, Lydia GATES of Bay City; and Ollie NEDBALEK of Houston; nine grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Britton L. Smith, on June 29, 1995.

Funeral services are set for 2 p.m. today (Wednesday) at the chaple of the Starr Funeral Home Inc. in Hemphill with Bro. Aldous SMITH officiating. Interment will follow at Libery Springs Cemetery near Milam.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, February 2011)

Family/Spouse: Britton Love Smith. Britton (son of June Alvin Smith and Vessie Mae Brittain) was born on 23 Jun 1916 in Time, Sabine County, Texas; died on 29 Jun 1995 in Nacogdoches County, Texas; was buried in Liberty Springs Cemetery, Milam, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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.

Kenneth married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]