Darius “Clint” Clinton Smith

Clinton Smith, 78, finished his earthly journey and met Jesus his savior on March 2, 2024. He completed the task assigned to him by the Father in the company of his wife Sue of 57 years in their home, Big Spring, Texas. He was born on May 13, 1945, in Sweetwater, Texas, where he was reared. He often shared about the fun he had growing up. He was proud to call Sweetwater home. His parents owned and operated Smitty’s Cafe where he enjoyed his dad’s hamburger steak with onions.

He met and married his wife Carol Sue Tyer Smith in Timpson, Texas, at the First Baptist Church where his brother-in-law George pastored.

Other members of his family are his younger brother, Karl Ray Smith and wife Day of Albuquerque, New Mexico; son, Evan Clinton Smith of Big Spring; daughter, Kellie Sue Smith Wash and husband Chad of Big Spring; Grandchildren, Haleigh Smith Neihaus, husband Nathan and baby Ryder; Kinsey Wash; Hayden Smith, wife Madison, children Caroline, twins Quinn and Kendall; Katie Wash; and Cade Wash.

Preceding him in death are father Darius Cull Smith; mother Lila Mae Pardue Smith; sister Barbara Jean Smith Clark and brother-in-law George Truett Clark.

Clinton attended John R. Lewis/Southward Elementary, John H Reagan Junior High and Newman High School, Sweetwater. As a youth he worked for M Systems, Sweetwater, 1959-1963, and was awarded a scholarship to Angelo State, San Angelo. After the first year he decided college was not his calling and he went to work with a seismograph crew, 1964-1965. This is when he decided the Army was a better choice. Hard, he said, to get a good job because he was set to be drafted because of the Vietnam war. He beat the military to the punch and joined up, serving in the Army, 1965-1968, with most of those years stationed at Ft Richardson, Anchorage Alaska. He then moved to East Texas making his home with his young family in Nacogdoches, Texas, living there 40 years.

He first worked at Moore Business Forms, 1968-1969, and then with the United States Postal Service as a walking Letter Carrier 1969-2000 walking 10-13 miles per day. He loved his job, maybe not management, but the people he served and those he worked alongside.

After retirement, he had fun at various part time jobs in Nacogdoches before moving to Big Spring to be near family in 2008. He was a “gopher” and eating partner with John, Hardy Construction; janitorial services Calvary Baptist Church and Ray Spivey, Cason Monk Funeral Home; and delivered flowers for Wells Flower Shop on special holidays. Boredom was not a problem. He lived life and loved people!

He surrendered his life to Jesus as a teenager at Lamar Street Baptist Church, Sweetwater, where his family served; he attended Calvary Baptist Church, Nacogdoches, serving as a deacon, Sunday School Teacher, choir member (papa sang bass); drama group “actor” (memorizing his lines was often a problem so director never knew what he might actually say); played on any sports team they had; was willing to try, at least, to do whatever was asked; and was a friend wearing bright ties, giving big hugs and firm handshakes; and finally at Spring Creek Fellowship, Big Spring, where he was a self-appointed PR representative/greeter and officially recognized as a Senior Deacon.

In his younger years he enjoyed watching, playing and talking sports. The only time he showed his less agreeable side was when he didn’t agree with calls from referees, umpires, or coaches! He liked to mow yards and cut limbs often leaving a little undone so he “would have something to do tomorrow,” he would say at his wife’s dismay. In later years he enjoyed jigsaw puzzles but never wanted them taken apart. They had to be glued for “posterity!” He took great joy being with family especially his five grandchildren and was first introduced to the newest in the family, his 4 great grandchildren in 2022, though he did comment once that there was a lot of crying going on!

The family is receiving friends at their home, #3 Coachman Circle, Big Spring, Wednesday, March 6 from 4-6pm.

Burial and a graveside celebration will be held at New Prospect Cemetery, Tuesday, March 12, noon, Timpson, Texas, that will be led by longtime friend Pastor Paul Sevar.

Memorials can be made to samaritanspurse.org (shoeboxes can be packed on line) and joshuafund.com blessing Israel and her neighbors.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home of Big Spring. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com

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