Services for Jerry Smith

Jerry Earl Smith 79, of Paris, passed away at 1:30 PM, Sunday, April 2, 2017 at Paris Regional Medical Center. A memorial service is set for 1:00 PM, Wednesday, April 5, 2017 at First Baptist Church with Rev. Donnie Beebe, Rev. Ken Cannon, Rev. Mike Fortenberry, and Jerry Earl “Jay” Smith officiating. The family will greet friends immediately following the service in the atrium of the church. Fry & Gibbs Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements.
Jerry was born in the Roquemore Community near Henderson, Texas on January 9, 1938 to Nadine Heaberlin and Herbert Earl Smith. In 1955, he graduated from Henderson High School and soon after enlisted in the US Navy and was discharged in 1957. He was then employed by LeTorneau Industries in Longview, Texas as an electrician. On February 14, 1959, he met the love of his life, Peggy Sue Stone and they were married one month later. The have four children, Robyn Figgins, Brad Smith, Jay Smith, and Cari Johnson; eleven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
He graduated from Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri in 1965. He was called to preach at Longview Baptist Temple shortly after graduation. In 1969, he and his family moved to Guadalajara, Mexico to be missionaries. In 1974, they returned to the US and through the remainder of his years he pastored Mt. States Baptist Church in Denver, Colorado, Millville Baptist Church, Grace Temple Baptist Church in Terrell, Texas, Cookville Baptist Church, and Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. He also was an administrator of several nursing homes in the east Texas area. The last years of his life, he was an interim preacher at several churches in Lamar County.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Nadine Heaberlin; his father, Herbert Smith; his brother, Jack Smith; and a grandson, Ryan Smith.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Meals On Wheels, 1275 NW 19th Street, Paris, Texas 75460 or Camp Deer Run Scholarships, 1227 CR 4590, Winnsboro, Texas 75494.