This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Smith, Hall, Kyle, Williamson, Easterly, Knowles, Webber, Harrell, Hudson, Burton, Etie Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/plB.2ACI/3588 Message Board Post: Frank Smith June 21, 1927 - Jan. 1, 2006 Frank Howard Smith, 78, of Bay City, passed from his earthly home to the waiting arms of his loving Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, January 1, 2006. He was born June 21, 1927, in Charco, Texas, to the late Henry Alonzo and Emma Elizabeth Hall Smith. Frank served in the Texas Defense Guard as a sergeant in E. Company, 47th Battalion and in the Texas State Guard as a corporal in the same company and battalion. On June 7, 1946, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving in both Berlin, Germany, and Panama as a corporal in the Military Police Corps and as a light-duty truck driver and was honorably discharged on May 24, 1949, receiving both the good conduct medal and marksman rifle M-1 status. On December 6, 1949, he enlisted in the Ready Reserve (active status) as a corporal where he received an honorable discharge upon serving faithfully until July 14, 1954. On June 19, 1953, Frank married Margaruett Joy (Kyle) and they settled in Sweeny, Texas, to start a home and family. In 1961, they moved to Bay City to be closer to his parents and built a new home on Lindsey Avenue. They raised four children together until her unexpected death in 1989. Frank retired from Phillips Petroleum Company refinery in Old Ocean in 1985 as a gauger after 34 loyal and dedicated years of employment. His retirement years were spent doing the things that he loved the most: sharing time with his children and family and participating in their many activities. On October 10, 1998, Frank remarried, exchanging vows with Rose Williamson, who became his constant companion, best friend and caregiver for the rest of his days. Survivors include his wife, Rose, of Bay City, and his four children: son, Kyle and wife Laura of El Campo; daughters, Elizabeth Gay and husband Glenn Ward Easterly of Thornton, Texas, Mary Ann Knowles and husband John of Seabrook, Texas, and Jacqueline Lea Webber and husband Kelly John of Bay City; and grandchildren, Erin and Megan Smith, Laura Elizabeth Harrell, Glenn “Bubba” Ward Easterly, Jr., Kimberly Knowles, Brandi Lee Hudson and Christopher Webber. Also: great-grandchildren, Alayna Harrell and Katelyn Hudson; brother, Henry Alonzo Smith and wife Kate Nederland, Texas, and their children, Ronnie Smith and wife Donna, and Debbie Burton and husband Don; and sister, Mary Beth Etie of Bay City. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his son, Frank Howard Smith, Jr., and granddaughter, Crystaline Dawn Webber. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, January 4, 2006, at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home, with the Bro. Joe Wrape officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at Cedarvale Cemetery in Bay City. Pallbearers will be Ronnie Smith, Kelly Webber, John Knowles, Glenn Easterly, “Bubba” Easterly and Chris Webber. Honorary pallbearers will be Arthur Wagner, Clark Bergstrom, Bill Sifford and all employees of Matagorda Rehab and Nursing Center in Bay City. The family received friends at Taylor Brothers Funeral Home from 6 until 8 p.m. Tuesday. Memorials may be made to El Campo Hospice, 1102 N. Mechanic, El Campo, Texas 77437. The assistance and tender loving care of the nursing staff during his last few weeks is much appreciated and will never be forgotten. Also special appreciation also is extended to the Hospice groups. Arrangements with Taylor Bros. Funeral Home, Bay City, (979)245-4613. Bay City Tribune January 4, 2006 Matagorda County, Texas