Laura Jean Gill Smith passed away June 12, 2019. She was born May 9, 1932 to Lewis and Laurie Gill in Huntington, Texas. She graduated from Huntington High School in 1948 as valedictorian of her class a week after her 16th birthday. She was a cheerleader and a barrel racer! She moved to Houston, Texas to attend college where she met and married Ben C Smith in 1950.
After Ben was recalled into service for the Korean Conflict, they moved to Camp Chaffee Arkansas. When Ben was discharged from the US Army, he surrendered to preach and Laura surrendered to be a preacher’s wife.
Laura graduated summa cum laude from East Texas State University with a Bachelors of Arts in May 1961, a Masters of Arts in January 1967 and later received her certification to be a High School Counselor.
She taught Junior High and High School English, French and Speech and served as a Certified Counselor. Districts included Blossom, TX ISD (1961-1962); Greenville, TX ISD (1962-1970); and Quinlan, TX ISD (1970-1991). She retired in 1991.
Through the years Laura served faithfully alongside her husband, Rev Ben Smith, as a Sunday school teacher, church pianist, church choir director, WMU director and church secretary.
She was a member of Highland Terrace Baptist Church and a member of its Senior Adult Young at Heart.
She and Ben enjoyed camping in their pop-up camper and later their RV. In their later years, they especially enjoyed spending time in Mt View Arkansas.
Laura and Ben raised four children: Clinta wife of Tim Price, Dwain husband of Denise, Jo wife of Jim Roddy and Lewis Ben husband of Patty. They had 10 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be Monday, June 17, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at Highland Terrace Baptist Church with Rev. Royce Litchfield and Rev. John Foster officiating. Burial will follow at Memoryland Memorial Park. Visitation will be at 1:00 p.m. until service time at the church. Services are under the direction of Coker-Mathews Funeral Home.
