Van Doyle Smith

Doyle Smith, 79, of New Waverly, Texas went to be with the Lord on February 21, 2016 in Huntsville, Texas. Doyle was born on February 23, 1936 in Bradley Co. Arkansas. He was a resident of Montgomery and Walker counties after moving to Texas in 1969. A veteran of the U.S. Army, Doyle served most of his time in Germany; he was very proud to have served his country. He was a master painter in auto body work. After retiring he was an avid fisherman and enjoyed several years of tournament fishing with the BASS Federation. He loved motorcycle touring, especially in the Rocky Mountain states. Doyle loved people and one of his favorite pastimes was spending time talking with his friends and gardening. Most of all, Doyle loved just being with his wife, Diane, at home and at their place on White Rock Creek. He also enjoyed having his dog Zeke go everywhere with him. Doyle was a loving father and grandfather. Family was very important to him and he was an excellent role model to his two daughters and to his six stepsons whom he loved very much. Doyle was blessed with a lot of good friends who meant a great deal to him, especially his friend Cecil who was there nearly every day helping care for him for the last several months of his life. Doyle is preceded in death by his parents Julius and Ethel Smith, brothers T. Roy, Bernard, John T. Smith, and stepson, Jimmy Hankins. He is survived by his loving wife Diane Pool Smith of New Waverly, Texas; sister, Martha Sue Wilson of Warren, Arkansas, daughters, Rhonda Powell and husband, Scott of Brandon, Mississippi and Tammy Watson and husband, Brent of Little Rock, Arkansas. Stepsons: Randy Hankins and wife Donna, Mark Hankins, Scott Hankins and wife Rachel of Rison, Arkansas, Jason Richards and wife Ryann of Conroe, Texas, Jereme Eckles of New Waverly, Texas. Numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews also survive. Services for Doyle will be held at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home, Thursday, February 25, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. in Huntsville, Texas, Pastor Leroy Brown officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday, February 24, 2016 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Full obituary may be viewed and memorial condolences may be made to the family at www.shmfh.com.

Van Doyle Smith

February 23, 1936 - February 21, 2016