George Marshall Smith

George Marshall Smith, age 85, faithful follower of Jesus Christ, passed from this life into his Heavenly home on Sunday, April 28, 2024. A lifelong Texan, Marshall was born on April 19, 1939, in Channelview, Texas to George Arnold and Ruby Overall Smith. The family moved to the growing town of Deer Park in 1942, where Arnold worked at Shell Oil Company. Marshall attended school in Deer Park and graduated from Deer Park High School in 1957. While in high school, Marshall enjoyed the privilege of playing on the football team, which won state championships in 1955 and 1956. He basked in the glory days of his high school football career for the rest of his life! After high school, Marshall attended Lee Junior College. He commuted to school with a friend, who introduced him to Floye Roberts, a fellow student from Pasadena, Texas. The two fell in love and married on May 28, 1960. They made their first home in Huntsville, Texas, where Marshall continued his education at Sam Houston State University. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education, and later earned his master’s degree. In 1961, Marshall accepted a job in his hometown of Deer Park, teaching in the industrial arts department. During his teaching tenure, he was named Outstanding Teacher of the Year for the Gulf Coast Region of the American Industrial Arts Association. He served on the Board of Directors and was later elected president of this organization. Marshall enjoyed teaching in junior high, high school, and later, alternative school. Four children were added to the family during the 1960’s and each of them in turn graduated from their father’s alma mater, Deer Park High School. Marshall, Floye, and their children were members of First Baptist Church Deer Park where Marshall served as a deacon and participated in lay renewals and many other ministries of the church. Marshall retired from Deer Park ISD after 33 years of teaching. He and Floye moved to Huntsville, Texas following retirement, where he pursued his lifelong passion of hunting. They traveled to Colorado, Hawaii, Alaska, Arkansas, and North Dakota among other places, enjoying the beauty of the country and visiting their grandchildren. They cherished the friendships they made during retirement years at University Heights Baptist Church in Huntsville. Their final move was to Longview, Texas in 2019 to be near family. Marshall was preceded in death by his wife, Floye Roberts Smith; his parents, George Arnold Smith and Ruby Overall Smith; and his sisters, Geneva Giese and Faye Shepperd. He is survived by his four children, Sheryl Phillips (Rodney), Dawn Willis, Janet Flies (Darren), and Jason Smith (Tracy). Marshall’s proud legacy is his nine grandchildren, Kassidy Bailey, Meredith Ramos (Jacob), Cameron Bailey (Megan), Kayla Dillman (Brandon), Trevor Phillips (Hailey), Amanda Jennings (Austin), Travis Phillips, Grace Smith, and Gillian Smith; great-grandchildren: Addie, Elijah, Myla, Lucy, Cole, Chase, Joshua, and Sam, as well as several nieces and nephews, and many family friends. A special thanks is due from the Smith family to Marshall’s caregiver and friend, Neena Harris. We are also grateful for the compassionate care shown by Dr. Julie Lundy, Amy Lewis, Lisa Scrimpsher, Belinda Anderson, Cindy Fields, and Michelle Reynolds, as well as for the wonderful teams at Parkview on Hollybrook and Highland Park Home Health. Visitation is at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, May 6, 2024, with Memorial Service to follow at 2:00 p.m. in the McAdams Chapel in Huntsville, Texas. Arrangements are under the direction of Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home in Huntsville. Memorial contributions may be made to Texas Baptist Men or First Baptist Church Hallsville Building Fund. Memorial condolences to the family may be made at www.shmfh.com.

George Marshall Smith

April 19, 1939 - April 28, 2024