Living

Notes:

Listed in obituaries of siblings as "of Corpus Christi, Texas."

Hugh Love Smith, Sr., age 98, of Corpus Christi and more recently, Boerne, Texas, died peacefully in the presence of his loving family on June 14, 2017. He was born at home in Geneva, Texas, in Sabine County, on January 18, 1919, to Prince Anna Dorsey Smith and Eugene Burton Smith. He was one of 10 children. His father was a farmer and later the Sheriff of Sabine County.



Hugh attended public schools in Sabine County, where he lettered for three years at Hemphill High School as an outstanding guard in basketball. On March 12, 1938, at age 19, he eloped with his beautiful, 16-year-old high school sweetheart, Era Mae Robbins. He bought her wedding ring, a gold band embossed with orange blossoms, at the drug store in Hemphill. The couple moved in 1938 to Corpus Christi, where they raised 'two children and each other' during the 76 years of their marriage.



Hugh's first job in Corpus Christi was driving a delivery truck for Samsco Supply Company, and less than a year later he landed a job with Southwestern Oil & Refining Co. (later to become Kerr-McGee). His career at Southwestern began as an unskilled laborer, and he progressed to pumper, operator, lab manager, and finally to the position of manager of marketing. During World War II, Hugh served his country by remaining at his oil refining job of producing fuel for military aircraft. He retired in 1983, after working for 44 years with the same company. He loved his job with Southwestern, and took great pride in his work and the relationships he built there.



Hugh was baptized in a creek near San Augustine at age 11 at a summer revival. After moving to Corpus Christi, he joined First Baptist Church downtown, where he participated in the Young Men's Bible Class, served as president of the Rufus Bryant Sunday School class, and worked with children at Boy's City and South Texas Children's Home. One of his most meaningful experiences was serving as an enthusiastic volunteer with Gerald Smith's Boy Scout Troop 11, for whom he presented the troop's first Eagle Award. In later years at First Baptist on Ocean Drive, Hugh enjoyed attending Vernon Elmore's Pastor's Class, served on the Property and Maintenance committee, and spent 10 years doing 'porch ministry' with Johnny Thomason.



Hugh was an avid member of the Corpus Christi Camera Club, and built houses under the name 'Hugh Smith Builder' for 15 years under the mentorship of his dear friend, Frank Peerman.



One of the most fun '96 albeit frustrating -- periods of his life was his 'golf era', which began in the 1960's with a foursome which played together for over 30 years, including John Wright, Carlos Hayley, Larry Lay, and later Henry Gillespie. This evenly-matched group loved being together and insisted that it was never too hot, cold, or windy to hit the links three times a week. While Hugh threatened to 'quit that foolish game' at least 1000 times, he reluctantly hung up his golf bag in 2006 due to health problems. A member of the Corpus Christi Country Club for 40 years, he served for two years as head of the Grounds Committee, and on the Board of Directors for three years.



Hugh is preceded in death by his parents, nine of his siblings and in August 2014, his loving and faithful wife, Era Mae Smith; He is survived by a son, Hugh Love 'Clipper' Smith, Jr. and wife Nona of Vicksburg, MS; daughter, Sylvia Ann Smith Griffin and husband Paul, of Boerne, TX; six grandchildren: Stephen Smith and wife Sherri of San Antonio, Jim 'Kelly' Smith and wife Kelly of Vicksburg, MS, Abney Smith Clardy and husband Trey of Mendenhall, MS, Robin Smith of Vicksburg, MS, Chris Griffin and wife Ashleigh of Austin, TX, and Cindy Griffin Carr and husband Brian of Boerne,TX twelve great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Hugh was delighted -- a mere ten days prior to his death -- to attend a family gathering to celebrate the birth of his great-great granddaughter with five generations together at one time. On that day, Hugh was able to affirm and bless his numerous family members and enjoy their loving company.



While Hugh's long life reflects many accomplishments, his proudest achievement by far was that of being a father to Clipper and Sylvia. He was a real 'Daddy' who was at home with his family every night and weekend. He took his kids to church, knew their teachers and their friends, and showed them by example what a life of integrity looked like.



Hugh was his most complete when he was with his best friend, soul mate and counselor -- his wife Era Mae. He loved to bring her coffee in the mornings, and in the afternoons with a little bowl of ice cream. If she was mad at him, she would get her own coffee '96 and that was the worst possible punishment she could give him! They used to love dancing, and they would have small tea dances with their friends in the living room, and the kids would peek at them, thinking they looked just like Fred and Ginger. They took wonderful, winsome photographs together and developed them in their own darkroom. They held hands. They could read each others' minds. They loved each other deeply.



The final years of Hugh and Era Mae's lives were spent living in Boerne, Texas at the Morningside Ministry at Menger Springs retirement living facility. They attended First Baptist Church in Boerne as long as they were able, and when they could no longer attend, they were visited faithfully by Pastor Mike Harkrider. The family is so grateful for the caring attention of many, including Shawna Barron, Bryce Boddie, Ulysses Flores, and Amy Castro of Alamo Hospice, Yessika Rodriguez of Nurse Next Door, Sandra, Sylvia, Monty and numerous others of the Cibolo House at Menger Springs.



A family Memorial Celebration will be held in Boerne, TX in late June with a graveside service held in Geneva, TX at a yet to be determined date.



Memorial gfts to the life and legacy of Hugh Smith may be made to CASA of South Texas at 1420 2nd St., Pleasanton, TX 78064 or Jacobs Ladder Learning Center, Inc. at 1017 Harrison St, Vicksburg, MS 39180. To leave condolences for the family and to view a video of Hugh's life, please visit www.ebensberger-fisher.com and select the obituaries tab.

Funeral:
A family Memorial Celebration will be held in Boerne, TX in late June.

Interment:
A graveside service will be held in Geneva, TX at a yet to be determined date.


downloaded from http://www.ebensberger-fisher.com/

Also published in The Sabine County Reporter, July 5, 2017, Page 5

Hugh married Era Mae "Sister" Robbins about 1938. Era (daughter of Henry Clyde Robbins and Era Inez Patterson) was born on 3 Mar 1922 in Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas; died on 8 Aug 2014 in Boerne, Kendall County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Era Mae Robbins Smith, 92, passed away peacefully on Aug. 8, 2014, at her home in Boerne surrounded by her loving family. She was born on March 3, 1922, in Hemphill to Era Inez Patterson Robbins and Henry Clyde Robbins, Sr.

She is preceded in death by her parents and her older brother, Henry Clyde "Sonny" Robbins, Jr.

Era Mae was orphaned at age 2 and spent her early years in three different households, lovingly cared for by her aunts. She was nicknamed "Sister" by her cousins, with whom she was raised as a sister, and was known throughout her childhood in East Texas by that name. In 1938, at the age of 16, she married her high school sweetheart, Hugh Love Smith, and they moved to Corpus Christi where they resided until they relocated to Boerne in 2010.

Era Mae's life was rich in activities surrounding her family, her friends, and her faith. She loved her Lord and Savior, and her every action bore witness to that love, the unselfish support for her husband, the leadership and tenacity in guiding the lives of her children as they grew, and the tender compassion she showed for others.

As a member of First Baptist Church of Corpus Christi, Era Mae participated and held leadership positions in numerous study, visitation, and outreach ministries. She served on the building committee for the church's chapel and on the leadership development committee. She was a licensed Real Estate Broker and member of the Corpus Christi Board of Realtors, an award-winning photographer, a talented seamstress, cook, decorator and dancer. She spent countless hours teaching her children how to be self-sufficient, and she enthusiastically supported their activities in church, school and scouting.

Era Mae is survived by her devoted husband of 76 years, Hugh Love Smith, Sr.; son, Hugh Love "Clipper" Smith, Jr. (Nona) of Vicksburg, MS; daughter, Sylvia Ann Smith Griffin (Paul) of Boerne; grandchildren, Stephen Randall Smith (Sherri) of Mathis, James Kelly Smith, Abney Gail Smith and Robin Dean Smith of Vicksburg, MS, Christopher Clark Griffin (Ashleigh) of Austin, and Cynthia Griffin Carr (Brian) of Pleasanton; plus eight great-grandchildren upon whom she loved to dote; cousins, Charlotte King Walker of Lufkin and Doris Jean Doiron of Pasadena, and numerous nieces, nephews and caring friends. She is also survived by the loving extended family of Peggy and Ronnie Schlottman of Center Point.

A memorial service celebrating Era Mae's life will be held Mon., Aug. 18, at 1 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Boerne. To leave condolences, visit www.ebensberger-fisher.com and select the Obituaries tab.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to CASA of South Texas online http:// casasouthtx.org/donate/ or to Jacob's Ladder Learning Center by mail 1017 Harrison St Vicksburg, Mississippi 39180.

Copied from the Pleasonton Express online, also published in The Sabine County Reporter, August 20, 2014, page 12

Notes:

Kay Parker McCary, on her annotated transcription of Sabine County's Myrtle Spring's cemetery, shows him as a son of Henry Green Smith and Mary E. Williams, and a Mason. She indicates he was married twice, first to Prince Anna Dorsey and later to Lockie Pearl McNaughten. Sue Ann Murray emailed, on March 19, 2012, that he was buried near his first wife.

(Research):
Census Listings:

1910 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Geneva Pr 8
16 April 1910
SD 2 ED 135 Sheet 1A
2-2
Darcy, Joe D and Annie
3-3
Smith, Eugene B Hd M W 37 M1 16 Tx Ga Ga Farm Laborer Home Farm
Smith, Prince Wife F W 30 M1 16 5/4 Tx Ala Ga
Smith, Darcy Son M W 14 S Tx Tx Tx
Smith, Elzie Son M W 12 S Tx Tx Tx
Smth, Louisser Dtr F W 10 S Tx Tx Tx
Smith, Sidney Son M W 4 S Tx Tx Tx

1920 Census
Texas, Sabine, JP 8
Enumerated 14 and 15 Jan 1920
SD 326 ED 172 Sheet 8B
163-164
Smith, E. B. Hd M W 47 Tx Ga Ga Farmer own farm
Smith, Princes Ann Wf F W 40 M Tx Tx Ga
Smith, Louise Dtr F W 18 S Tx Tx Tx
Smith, Iva Belle Dtr F W 8 S Tx Tx Tx
Smith, Earl Son M W 6 S Tx Tx Tx
Smith, Clyde Son M W 6 S Tx Tx Tx
Smith, Terrell Son M W 3 8/12 S Tx Tx Tx
Smith, Hugh Son M W 11/12 Tx Tx Tx
164-168
Smith, J.J. and Ola

1930 Census
Texas, Sabine, Pr 1, Hemphill
Enumerated April 15, 1930
ED 202-2 SD 19 Sheet 6B
128-153
Smith, Eugene Hd M W 56 M 24 Tx Tx Tx Sheriff County
Smith, Lockie Wf F W 40 M 16 Tx Tx Tx
Smith, J. T. Son M W 17 S Tx Tx Tx Tx
Smith, Clyde Son M W 16 S Tx Tx Tx
Smith, Earl Son M W 16 S Tx Tx Tx
Smith, Terrell Son M W 12 S Tx Tx Tx
Smith, Maurine Dtr F W 11 S Tx Tx Tx Tx (Stepdaughter)
Smith, Elaine Dtr F W 8 S Tx Tx Tx Tx

Eugene married Prince Anna Dorsey before 1896. Prince (daughter of Joseph Taylor Dorsey and Mary Elizabeth "Mollie" Hamilton) was born on 11 Aug 1878 in Geneva, Sabine County, Texas; died on 20 Feb 1922 in Texas; was buried in Myrtle Springs Cemetery, Geneva, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Henry married Era Inez Patterson. Era (daughter of Walter G. Patterson and Pattie May White) was born on 12 May 1899 in Sabine County, Texas; died on 30 Mar 1922 in Texas; was buried in Hemphill City Cemetery, Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Kay Parker McCary shows him as a son of Henry Young Smith and Mary E. Williams.

Henry married Mary E. Williams. Mary was born about 1849; died about 1923; was buried in Myrtle Springs Cemetery, Geneva, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Kay Parker McCary shows her as a daughter of Hilliard Judge Williams and Martha Mobley.

Notes:

At the time of the 1870 census, Joseph was living with his sister and brother-in-law, Mary E and James T. Allen. He is listed as "Dorsey, Joseph 20 M W Working on Farm Alabama."

Joseph married Mary Elizabeth "Mollie" Hamilton on 11 Jul 1872 in Geneva, Sabine County, Texas. Mary was born on 31 Mar 1855 in Georgia; died on 25 Feb 1926 in Texas; was buried in Myrtle Springs Cemetery, Geneva, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
Linda King Davenport writes that they were married at the home of E.L. and C.D. King in Geneva, Sabine County, Texas by James Bond, M.G.

Notes:

His tombstone instead shows 1868-1943. The transcription of this cemetery by Kay Parker McCary indicates he was the son of James H. Patterson and Malissa E. Evans.

Walter married Pattie May White about 1898 in Texas. Pattie (daughter of Edward James White and Mary Benena Meador) was born in May 1880 in Texas; died about 1928; was buried in Hemphill City Cemetery, Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

(Research):Census Listings:

1900 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Milam Pr. No. 4
Enumerated 1 June 1900
SD 8 ED 71 Sheet 1A Stamped 129
8-8
Patterson, Walter Hd W M Sept 1865 34 M 2 Tx Tx Tx Farmer
Patterson, May Wf W F May 1880 20 M 2 1/1 Tx Tx Tx
Patterson, Eva I Dtr W F May 1899 1 S Tx Tx Tx


1910 Census
Texas, Sabine County, JP4
Enumerated 30 April 1910
SD 2 ED 134 Sheet 9A Stamped 159
130-134
Patterson, Walter G Hd M W 41 M1 11 Tx --- Tx Farmer
Patterson, May Wf F W 29 M1 11 6/5 Tx ___ Tx
Patterson, Era I Dtr F W 10 S Tx Tx Tx
Patterson, Marie Dtr F W 8 S Tx Tx Tx
Patterson, Onie M Dtr F W 5 S Tx Tx Tx
Patterson, Dorie Dtr F W 3 S Tx Tx Tx
Patterson, Sybil Dtr F W 8/12 S Tx Tx Tx