In Memory of an American Hero

I learned on Saturday night that a sweet, sweet man went to be with Jesus. Mr. Ned Smith was one of the most amazing people Alan and I have ever had the privilege of knowing. A Godly servant, husband, father, teacher, and true American hero. He will be missed dearly by many, but most of all his precious wife of 66 years, Betty.

I was blessed to work with him during my time as the Office Administrator for our church's student ministry. Ned taught Sunday School to 9th grade boys at Green Acres Baptist Church for over 40 years! To think of the many lives he touched over the years is mind-boggling. Every time Ned came through the office, he would say hello or goodbye to me in a different language. It was always fascinating to me. I will always have fond memories of that. I will always remember the stories he told us about the war and about his return to Normandy Beach many years later. It was incredible to hear these accounts first-hand. I know that he STILL sometimes awoke with nightmares about his experiences. I never knew all of his military honors until I read his obituary.

I know when Ned awoke in heaven, he heard, "Well done, good and faithful servant".

Auf Wiedersehen, Ned! Until we meet again!

Funeral services for Ned Smith, 86, Tyler, are scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday in the chapel of Green Acres Baptist Church with Dr. Mark Dance, pastor of First Baptist Church, Conway, Arkansas, officiating. Burial will follow at Cathedral in the Pines cemetery under the direction of Burks Walker Tippit Funeral Home.

Honorary pallbearers will be students from Ned’s Sunday school classes from 1962-2004. Ned was born in Granite Falls, Washington to the late Orie and Juliet Smith and passed away peacefully on November 6, 2010.

He served in the U.S. Army during WWII with the Third Army Explosive Ordnance Unit. He was a veteran of the Battle of the Bulge, earning the Purple Heart, Bronze Star with valor, Good Conduct, European Campaign and European Army of Occupation medals. His life memberships include the Battle of the Bulge Explosive Ordnance Disposal Chapter, where he served as chapter president for ten years, and the Disabled American Veterans.
Ned volunteered his services to many of the youth of the area, educating them on the history of WWII with his personal collections. He was also a taxidermist and carried mounted birds so the youth were treated to the beautiful birds and amusing stories.

Ned was a faithful member of Green Acres Baptist Church where he was deacon emeritus and taught Sunday school for 42 years in the ninth grade boys class. He retired from La GLoria Oil and Gas after 31 years of employment.

He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Betty E. Smith; son and daughter-in-law, Ned Lindsey Smith and Donna; sister, Eleanor Mildred Smith; grandchildren, Heidii Godbold and husband Jason, Jimmy Youngblood and wife Susan, Ellen Shankles and husband Scott, Shannon Smith, Jason Smith, Linnea Malone and husband Tim, Bettne Ross; great grandchildren, Claire Juliet Godbold, Jake Godbold, Rosemary Youngblood, Zachary Youngblood, Jonathan Youngblood, Abigail Grace Shankles, Simon Shankles, Maddox Malone, and Austin Ross. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Betty Jane Smith Craig; brother, Elmer M. Smith; sister, Elsie Sola; and grandson, Jonathan David Smith.

The family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday at Burks Walker Tippit.

Betty would like to say “Thank You” to Park Place Rehab Center, particularly the East Wing staff- Shayla, Sheila, Candace, Claira, Tosha, Julie, John, Kim, Randy, Mark, Jeannie, Angela, Lola, and the kitchen staff. Also, Hospice of East Texas- Terri, Joan, and Chaplain Elwood.

Memorials may be made to Green Acres Baptist Church- College Ministry, or Hospice of East Texas.