Ernest Smith

Personal

     Smith, Robert Ernest     
     Born: Apr 6, 1883 in Alabama-Chamber Co.   
     Died: Dec 14, 1962 in Crosbyton, Crosby Co., TX
     Father: J.D.Smith
     Mother: Eliza Whaltey
     Came to Crosbyton 1907
     Source: Adams Funeral Home 
     Transcribed by Bettye Odom

Obituary

Robert Ernest Smith, 79, pioneer farmer, public official and chamber of commerce secretary, was buried in Crosbyton Cemetery Sunday afternoon following 2:00 o´clock services at the First Baptist Church. He died in Crosbyton Clinic Hospital at 1:15 p.m. Friday.

Rev. Melvin Ratheal, pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Lubbock, officiated. He was assisted by Rev. Otis Testerman, local pastor. King Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Born at Five Points, Alabama, April 6, 1883, he moved with his parents to Bell County, Texas when he was 14 years old. The family moved to Jones County in 1902 and he was married to Bessie Collier in 1904 at Anson in Jones County.

The family moved to Crosby County in 1907 where he farmed eight miles northwest of Crosbyton. He grew the first crop of cotton in the community, had to take it to Plainview for ginning, and to Knox City to sell it. He was also freighting during this period from Plainview, the nearest railroad.

Smith worked for C.B. Livestock Company, founders of the town, from 1912 to 1915. He helped haul the lumber from Plainview for building the First Baptist church when it was established here. He joined the Baptist church at Emma in 1907 and moved his membership here when the church was organized.

He also helped build the Crosbyton and South Plains Railroad into Crosbyton in 1909-10.

He was elected tax assessor collector of Crosby County in 1928, holding that office for 8 years. In 1928 he was elected county commissioners from Precinct 2, an also held that position for 8 years. Smith served as Crosbyton Chamber of Commerce secretary in the late 1940´s

Survivors include his wife, Bessie, Crosbyton; a son, Homer, Crosbyton; his mother, Mrs. J.D. Smith, Ralls; four sisters, Mrs. J.H. Richards, Arlington; Mrs. Ellen Bryant, Hereford; Mrs. Wildering West, Clarendon; and Miss Juanita Smith, Ralls; four brothers, Ray, Santa Fe; Lige, Dallas; R.H. McCoy, TX; and Vernie, Ralls.

Crosbyton Review, December 20, 1962

Record provided by Crosby County Pioneer Memorial Museum
transcribed by Linda Fox Hughes

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