LIVINGSTON -- Edwin Dennis Smith was born in Camp Ruby, Polk County, 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 he was in the seventh 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 BS degree in 1954 along with a commission as lieutenant in U.S. Marines. He served the country four years stateside and Japan. He was honorably discharged in 1959 with rank of captain. He then continued his education at Sam Houston State, earning a master's 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. Mr. Smith taught in Hardin and served as junior high principal. In 1963 Ed and Etta moved to Nederland, where he taught eighth 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, where they had built a new house. In November of 1977 the house and contents were destroyed by fire, with no injuries. Ed and his wife both began teaching at Big Sandy School from which he 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 an opportunity to give jobs to many young people who became lifelong friends. Mr. Smith 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 wife, Etta; son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Sally Smith; grandchildren, Ashley, Heather and Stephen R. Smith; great-grandson, Caden Dennis Smith; his sister, Betty Gulley and brother, Doyle Odell Smith and wife Jody and numerous other family members and friends. Funeral services were held Wednesday, June 18, 2008, in the Oak Grove Church of Christ. Burial followed in Camp Ruby Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers were Bill Townley, Shane Hughes, Joe Gulley, Bruce Durrant, Darrel Laird and Stephen R. Smith. Cochran Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.