McLemoreStrong
Genealogy
Strong - McLemore History and Ancestry
First Name:  Last Name: 
[Advanced Search]  [Surnames]

Kenneth Love Smith, Sr.

Male 1947 - 2021  (74 years)


Personal Information    |    Sources    |    Event Map    |    All    |    PDF

  • Name Kenneth Love Smith  [1, 2, 3
    Suffix Sr. 
    Birth 6 Feb 1947  Wharton County, Texas Find all individuals with events at this location  [2
    Gender Male 
    Death 31 Aug 2021  Texas Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Burial 6 Sep 2021  Plainview Cemetery (aka Plainview Family Cemetery), Pineland, Sabine County, Texas Find all individuals with events at this location 
    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 Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 29 Jun 1995, Nacogdoches County, Texas Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 79 years) 
    Mother Helen Lorraine Kopecky,   b. 11 Apr 1923, El Maton, Matagorda County, Texas Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 11 Jan 1997, Houston, Harris County, Texas Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 73 years) 
    Marriage 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
    Family ID F8020  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 23 Oct 2022 

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

  • Sources 
    1. [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).

    2. [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.).

    3. [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).