A funeral service for Gene Smith, 78, of Jefferson, Texas will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at Pope City Baptist Church. Interment will follow at Pope City Cemetery.

Gene was born on September 22, 1944, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas to Jarvis Gene Smith, Sr. and Virginia Lee Henry Smith and passed away on December 18, 2022, at his home in Jefferson, Texas.

He married Linda Faye Carlisle on June 6, 1964, in Jefferson, Texas and the two remained married until his passing. He owned G&S Auto in Marshall in the 70's and 80's. He bought dealerships in Many, Louisiana, known as Many Ford and Mercury and a Chevrolet dealership in Homer, Louisiana from 1987-2001. After a year of retirement, he went to work for the Brown's at Nehl's Chevrolet in 2002 until they sold it and he retired for good to spend more time with his great grandkids. He was a member of Pope City Baptist Church.

He is preceded in death by his father, Gene Smith; parents, Virginia and R.E. Phillips; brother, John Mark Phillips and sister-in-law, Lawanda Holland.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Linda Fay Smith; his daughter, Vikki Jean Smith Joyce; grandchildren, Ashley Joyce, Jeffrey Joyce and wife Katherinne and Nikki Blubaugh and husband, Justin; great grandchildren, Landon Blubaugh, Mia Blubaugh and Alera Joyce; sister-in-law, Becky Lummus and husband, Steve; brother-in-laws, Mike Holland and wife, Kathey, Ronnie Holland and Allen Dale and wife, Brenda along with numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and other family and friends.

Pallbearers will be: Justin Blubaugh, Richard Fritz, Steve Duzik, Mike Holland, John Paul Phillips and Shane Davidson.  Honorary Pallbearers are Dean Richardson and Dick Brassell.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Pope City Building Fund.