Joe Allen Smith

Services for Joe Allen Smith, 61, of Tyler, will be held at 2:30 PM on Monday, April 11th, 2016 at Green Acres Baptist Church, with Rev. Mark Turman and Dr. Paul Powell officiating. Visitation will be prior to the service from 1:00 to 2:15 PM, and internment will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Tyler under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Joe passed away Thursday, April 7th, 2016 after gracefully living with ALS for two years. His quiet strength throughout was anchored by his faith in Jesus. He was born May 25th, 1954 in Oklahoma City to Jake and Betty Smith. He grew up in Tyler and graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in 1972 and from the University of Texas at Austin in 1976. Following college, he joined his dad, Jake Smith, in the family business at Penco Oil Co. Joe married Debbie Willman on February 16th, 1980. He was preceded in death by his mother Betty Smith and his father Jake Smith. Joe was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He is survived by his wife, Debbie Smith of Tyler, daughter Monica Bozeman and husband Brad, daughter Melissa Champion and husband Matthew, son Nicholas Smith and wife Caroline, and son Michael Smith. He was blessed with seven grandchildren who lovingly called him “Papa”: Will, Brianna, Keely, Austin, Ellie, Harrison, and Libby. He is also survived by his sister Toni Hibbs and husband Greg, and numerous nieces and nephews. Joe touched the lives of many with his selfless acts of service and love for others. He was a lifelong member of Green Acres Baptist Church, where he served on numerous committees and taught high school Sunday School for many years. Joe was passionate about the broadcast ministry and instrumental in its formation. He enjoyed music, aviation, motorsports, and spending time with his family. In everything, Joe’s greatest desire was to point others towards Christ. Pallbearers will be Jerry Atherton, Brian Feiden, Camden Jones, Mike Jones, Jorge Monsivais, Jim Poston, John Turman, Phil Turman, Tibby Wright, and Steve Youngblood. If desired, memorials may be made to ALS Therapy Development Institute, an organization focused on developing treatments and a cure for ALS, 300 Technology Square, Suite 400, Cambridge, MA 02139.

Joe Allen Smith

May 5, 1954 - April 7, 2016