F. B. (Smitty) Smith

F.B. (Smitty) Smith, age 88 of Gatesville, left his worldly home and walked into the arms of Jesus on Tuesday, September 17, 2024. 

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 21, 2024 at Scott’s Funeral Home with Dr. Danny Crosby officiating and Pastor Matthew Hamilton, leading congregational hymns. Interment will follow at Pearl Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Friday, September 20th at the funeral home.

F.B. was born on September 9, 1936, to the late Albert Oscar and Anna Murrah Smith. He graduated from Pearl High School in 1955 and was voted the most handsome and most athletic. He married Dorothy Ellen Cox on March 15, 1969, and she passed away July 31, 2007. F.B. enlisted in the United States Army and worked for General Dynamics in Ft. Worth where he retired. He also was an active member of the Army National Guard and retired after 20 years of service. During his retirement, he worked part time for his dear friend Daren Moore at Scott’s Funeral Home. He later married his longtime friend JaQue Manos on January 26, 2013, after reuniting with her in Pearl at a school gathering.

Smitty was a long-time member of Live Oak Baptist Church, serving as a Sunday School teacher, Royal Ambassador leader and grounds keeper. He was devoted to his church and was active with the youth, having the youth building dedicated to him and his wife, Dorothy. He loved to share Jesus with anyone who would listen, everyone loved Smitty, and his greatest desire was for everyone to love the Lord. JaQue recalls that they would often be at the store or in town and someone would come up to her and mention that Smitty led them to the Lord. 

Smitty loved to play golf, camp and work in the yard. He was a true Baylor Bears fan and was a season ticket holder to all the Lady Bear Basketball games that he attended with his friends. 

F.B. was preceded in death by his parents: brothers, Albert Gervase Smith, Daniel Bryan Smith, Oscar Duayne Smith; sisters, Cynthia Neatherlin and Carolyn Brooks.

He is survived by his wife, JaQue Smith; son, Tracy Lynn Smith and wife, Colleen; his loving grandchildren, Lauren Smith, Lindsey Muncy and husband, Bryan, Lacey Smith; great-grandchildren, Lexi Mori and Loki Reaves; brother, James Richard Smith and wife, Linda, and sister, Gwendolyn Fleming; extended children, Misty Grimm and husband, Rick and Slade Manos and wife, Suzanne and their families.

In lieu of flowers, memorials have been designated to Live Oak Baptist Church, 113 FM 107, Gatesville, TX 76528.