Gerald Smith

Gerald Wayne Smith, 82, of Waco, went to be with The Lord Saturday, December 19, 2015. Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 23, at Pecan Grove Funeral Home, 3124 Robinson Drive, Waco, with Nathan Burrow officiating. Burial will follow at Olive Branch Cemetery, near Leroy, TX. The family will receive visitors 6 – 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 22, at the funeral home.

Gerald was born July 28, 1933, to Ernest and Willie Jewel Smith. He served his country in the U.S. Army. Gerald worked as a mechanic for Bird Kultgen Ford for 33 years. He was a member of New Road Church of Christ, and he loved The Lord and enjoyed listening to gospel music. He was married to Viola Edison Smith and they were blessed with a large family. Gerald loved guns and going to the shooting range; he also enjoyed going to the race track in Elm Mott, where he was raised. After retirement, he delivered for Meals on Wheels. His greatest pleasure was traveling to watch his grandchildren and great-grandchildren play sports. Gerald was preceded in death by his wife of 41 years, Viola Smith; his parents; daughter Sharon Lowery; and brother Donald Smith.

Gerald is survived by his son Larry Smith and fiancée Stacy Ware; daughter Sue Chupik and husband Jerry; son Alvin Clemons; daughters Karen Marsh and husband Charles, Debra Lowrey and husband Robert, Sandra Benoit, Brenda Andrews; son Gerald Wayne Smith, Jr., and son-in-law Mike Lowrey ; 22 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great-grandchildren.