C. Lee Smith

Cornelious Lee (C. Lee) Smith, 91, of Clyde, passed away Saturday, December 28, 2024, at Chisholm Court Assisted Living Community in Abilene. Services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Monday, December 30, 2024, at the Eula Methodist Church with C. Lee's cousin, Sam Nichols, officiating. Burial will be at the Eula Cemetery followed by a visitation and reception at the home of Kathi and Murray Edwards, 5423 FM 3217 in Clyde.
C. Lee was born July 5, 1933, in Eula, Texas, to Gordon Miller and Mae Christine Young Smith. He was a 1950 Eula High School graduate. He and his childhood sweetheart, Betty Sue Rosinbaum, were married in Eula on August 19, 1950. They were married for 65 years. He was a dairy farmer, president of CLS Enterprises, and engaged in real estate development and investments. C. Lee graduated from McMurry University in 1978 with a B.B.A. Degree in Finance. He served in the U.S. Army and the Army National Guard during the era of the Korean conflict.
C. Lee served as Mayor of Clyde from 1970-1978 and was named Clyde Citizen of the Year in 1991. Beginning in 1965, he was active in the Lions Club, receiving numerous awards in addition to serving statewide as District Governor from 1990-1991. He had a special passion for the Texas Lions Club Camp for Children in Kerrville and the Leader Dog Program.
C. Lee's spirit of adventure combined with a heart for the Lord and love for people led to a full life. For example, at the age of 68 he did his first and only tandem parachute jump.
Whether it was memorable family vacations or Lions Club activities, his love of travel took him and Sue to many amazing places, including the Great Wall of China, Australia, England, Yellowstone, Salt Lake City, White Sands, Washington D.C., the Great Smoky Mountains, and the Grand Canyon. He served as a troop leader on a Boy Scout wilderness canoe trip from Ely, Minnesota, into the boundary waters of Canada. He also took many mission trips to places such as Israel, the Czech Republic, and Anchorage, AK. He drove a bus from Texas to Honduras, where it was converted to a mobile medical clinic.
C. Lee was a founding member of Trinity Community Church in Clyde, a long-time member of Clyde United Methodist Church, and, at the time of his passing, a member of Open Door United Methodist Church in Clyde.
The Smith home was a hub of church fellowship, activities, and generosity. People in need would often show up at the Smith's door and C. Lee would hire them to do odd jobs. Community members would also call C. Lee if they knew of someone needing assistance. Whether it was driving to Breckenridge to give a ride to someone whose car was broken down, using his own resources to help someone out, or connecting people to the resources needed, C. Lee was willing to go out of his way to help others. When an ice storm shut down I-20, he went to the Clyde DQ and welcomed college students stranded as they traveled back to school. He and Sue gave them a place to stay overnight. They played games, had food to eat, then continued their trip when the roads cleared. The Smith home was inundated with flower arrangements afterward, sent by grateful parents of the students who had been helped.
C. Lee is survived by four daughters, Kathi Edwards (Murray) of Clyde, Linda Martin (James) of Clyde, Christy Thompson (Ray) of Abilene, and Jenny Holden (Terry) of Lexington; 11 grandchildren, Rachel Stazzone (Rich), John Morris Edwards (Aubrey), Lincoln Edwards (Marjorie), Emily Little (Justin), Bethany Wilson (Michael Scott), Anna Martin, Brooke Brown (Scottie), Landri Ognowski (Steven), Levi Holden (Kristi), Curry Holden (Sarah), Ben Holden (Surizaday); and 30 great-grandchildren.
C. Lee was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Sue, his sister Louise Bailey, infant sisters Mae and Jeanette, and infant great-granddaughter Hannah Lynn Holden.
Pallbearers will be grandsons John Morris Edwards, Lincoln Edwards, Levi Holden, Curry Holden, and Ben Holden; and grandsons-in-law Rich Stazzone, Justin Little, Michael Scott Wilson, Scottie Brown, and Steven Ognowski.
The family would like to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to Gloria Wood, to the staff at Chisholm Court, and to the staff of Kinder Hearts Hospice for their kind and excellent care of our dad.
Memorial donations can be made to Leader Dogs for the Blind at leaderdog.org, or to Texas Lions Camp at tlc@lionscamp.com
Online condolences may be made at https://www.bailey-howardfuneralhome.com
Lee (C. Lee) Smith, 91, of Clyde, died Saturday, December 28, 2024, at an Abilene care center. Services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Monday, December 30, 2024, at the Eula Methodist Church with his cousin, Sam Nichols, officiating. Burial will follow in the Eula Cemetery. A visitation and reception will be held for everyone following the services at the home of Kathi Edwards, 5423 FM 3217 in Clyde.