Leonard Graves Smith

Leonard Smith, 94, formerly of Midland passed away on Saturday, October 19, 2024. A visitation will be from 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm, Thursday, October 24, 2024 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home Chapel. The funeral service will begin at 2:00 pm, Thursday, October 24, 2024 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park.

Leonard Smith was born on February 14, 1930 in Brownfield, Texas to Eli Leonard Smith and Millie Elnora Wauson Smith. He married Murl Shaffer on July 26, 1947 and they had four children. They were married for 65 years.

Leonard was a loving husband, father and provider. He worked from an early age. He picked cotton, loaded practice bombs at the Midland Bomber Base during World War II, and was a ranch hand, etc. in his teen years. He learned to fly and taught himself to play the guitar. In 1947 he gave his heart to Jesus Christ. Later that year he met and married the love of his life Murl Shaffer. The early years were hard, he worked two and three jobs to support his growing family. They planted their young family in First Assembly of God and taught them to love and serve God. Leonard was an excellent guitarist. He became a ‘letter carrier’ for many years. After his retirement and the children were grown, he was able to soar once again. He flew gliders and served the CAF in restoring gliders. He wrote poems about his life, sang songs and played his guitar as long as he was able. He was known as honest, a man of his word, hardworking, loving, generous, and humorous. He loved God and his family.

He is survived by his four children, Laura Powell, Marcia Stinson and husband Roger, Terry Smith and wife LaVoynne, and Lanita Newberry and her husband Michael; grandchildren, Carol Mularski, Russell Evers, Andrew Stinson, Daniel Stinson, Nathan Stinson, Angela Thatcher, Tony Smith, Lewis Smith and Misty Curry; numerous great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Leonard is preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Murl Smith; grandson, Brent Rushing; and great granddaughter, Amoura Dove Smith.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.

To send flowers to the family or place a tree in memory of Leonard Graves Smith, please visit our Tribute Store.