Palestine High School Alumni Association

09 / 12 / 1925  –  10 / 21 / 2010

Graveside services services for Merle D. Smith, 85, of Palestine, will be at 3 p.m. today at Palestine City Cemetery with Dr. Bob Chandler officiating.  Arrangements are under the direction of Bailey & Foster.  Mr. Smith died Thursday at Cartmell Home for the Aged.

He was born September 12, 1925 in Duncan, Oklahoma to Fay Walton and Hazel Marie Flowers Smith.  Mr. Smith graduated from Palestine High School in 1944. He went into the Navy and served approximately 24 months during WWII.  When he returned from the war he worked at Lone Star Gas in Palestine.  In 1965, he transferred to the Safety Department and was safety director for Ensearch Exploration, Inc. in Dallas.  Mr. Smith retired in 1994 with 46 years of service.

He was a member of the First Christian Church and the American Legion.  Mr. Smith was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Oleita Mae Ferrell Smith.

He is survived by a niece, Lydia King and husband George of Rice; nephews, Leeland Strban and wife Connie of Crockett, Tommy Warren and wife Ruby of Arkansas, and Roy Warren and wife Margaret of Houston; numerous great nieces and nephews and great great nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Christian Church, 113 E. Crawford, Palestine, Texas 75801.