Edwin Dennis Smith born in Camp Ruby, Polk Co., Tx on April 20, 1933. To parents Dennis Odell Smith and Hesta Myrle Hammond Smith. He attended school in Camp Ruby with many neighbors and friends until the school was consolidated with Livingston when Ed was in the 7th grade. He attended Livingston High School where he played football, basketball and was student council president, and FFA president along with being the Class Favorite. Upon graduation in 1950 he received a scholarship to Texas A&M to play football. He received his B.S. degree in 1954 along with a commission at Lieutenant in U.S. Marines. He served our country 4 years stateside and Japan. He was honorably discharge in 1959 with rank of Captain. He then continued his education at Sam Houston State earning a Master' Degree in 1960. That was the year that he became a Christian and married Etta Townley, a native Polk County girl. Together they lived in Hull-Daisetta; Ed taught in Hardin and served as Jr. High principal. In 1963 Ed and Etta moved to Nederland Tx., where Ed taught 8th grade Earth Science until 1977. While living in Nederland their only son was born in 1964, that being Stephen Dennis Smith. In 1977 they moved back home to the family farm on Richardson Road were they had built a new house. In November of 77 the house and contents were destroyed by fire, with no injuries. Ed and his wife both began teaching at Big Sandy School from which Ed retired in 1988. During his teaching career he served on the Texas Classroom Teachers State Board, preached on Sundays for Oak Grove Church of Christ, and managed a summertime custom hay-baling business. This afforded him a opportunity to give jobs to many young people who became lifelong friends.

Ed built a legacy in the community performing marriages, baptisms, and funerals. He has been lovingly known as ""Bro. Ed"".

His great joy was serving our Heavenly Father, ministering to the church members and community, and loving and mentoring his family.

He is survived by his loving wife Etta, son and daughter in law Steve and Sally Smith, grandchildren Ashley, Heather, and Stephen R. Smith, and his great grandson Caden Dennis Smith. He is also survived by his sister Betty Gulley and brother Doyle Odell Smith and wife Jody. A large and beautiful family and friends also survived him.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday June 18, 2008 at 10:00AM in the Oak Grove Church of Christ. Burial will follow in the Camp Ruby Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00pm until 10:00pm Tuesday June 17, 2008 at Cochran Funeral Home.

Serving as pallbearers will be Bill Townley, Shane Hughes, Joe Gulley, Bruce Durrant, Darrel Laird, and Stephen R. Smith.