Kenneth L Smith

Kenneth Lavon Smith, 91, of Silsbee passed away May 18, 2020.   Kenneth lived his life the way he wanted.  He moved with his family to Silsbee during the 1940’s, lived next door to his father on their small family farm and enjoyed riding through the woods on his horse “Bob” with his dog “Penny”.  Kenneth attended Silsbee schools where he earned a certificate in auto mechanics, which served him well, as he loved his job driving tanker trucks.  He married his wife Celia in 1952, saying it was “love at first sight”.  He worked alongside his father at the Old Ice House delivering ice and retired from Enterprise Products at 82.  Kenneth was a member of Good Shepherd Baptist Church and attended Woodrow Baptist Church for years.  He loved to deer and squirrel hunt, tinker with old machines, and gardening.   He played the guitar alongside his brother and entertained everyone with music, jokes and stories.  He loved campfires and spending time with his family.  Kenneth is preceded in death by his parents Jesse Wallace and Effie Darnell Smith; brother James Donald Smith, sister Mary Margaret Smith-Jones and granddaughter Deborah Marie Eaves.   He is survived by his wife of almost 68 years Celia O. Leatherwood Smith; daughters, Brenda C. Eaves and Deborah I. Powell; grandsons, Kenneth Dale Gallagher, Kenneth Dale Powell, Daniel Lavon Powell, Dustin Carroll Powell; granddaughter Celia Carol Eaves-Cobb and seven great-grandchildren.  Kenneth was a handsome, sweet, loving and caring man, and sometimes a little shy. He was a popular guy with his “dumb” jokes.  He will be remembered as a favorite of the ladies and being a loving husband, father, grandfather and greatgrandfather.  He always said you have two choices in life: laugh or cry, “I would rather laugh”.  He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.  A graveside service will be held 2pm Thursday, May 21, 2020 at Leatherwood Cemetery in Lumberton, TX with Rev. Jason Richards officiating.  Kenneth served his country in the US Army during the Korean Conflict.  Military Honors will be rendered.

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