George Smith, 89, of Carthage, Texas, passed away on Thursday, February 23, 2023, in Carthage. George Ray Smith was born on January 1, 1934, in Gorman, Texas to the late Toliver Easley and Gladys Elizabeth Davis Smith. George was raised in the Laird Hill Community of Rusk County, Texas and graduated from Leverett's Chapel High School with the class of 1952. He attended Kilgore Junior College and the University of Texas before entering East Texas State University in Commerce, Texas where he earned his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Education. He married Ima Ruth Rollings on March 22, 1958, in Commerce and they celebrated 59 years together before she preceded him in death on September 26, 2017. Mr. Smith enjoyed a 45-year teaching career as an Industrial Arts/Technology teacher. He began in Silsbee, Texas where he taught for 2 years before moving to Carthage in 1961. Over the next 43 years, he would teach countless students at Carthage I.S.D., having made a positive impact on their lives along the way. In 1963, he brought the first Technology Students Association Chapter to CISD. The chapter won the state outstanding chapter award eight years in a row and six state championships in a row from 1985-1990. Mr. Smith received the State Distinguished Teacher award from TSA's teacher organization and in recent years, received the Hall of Honor award from Texas TSA, an accolade bestowed to a very select few who have devoted a lifetime of service and dedication to the state organization. Mr. Smith was involved in many extracurricular activities during his tenure at CISD including teaching Driver's Education. After retirment from CISD, he worked for many years at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home. He was a devoted and longtime member of St. Andrew's United Methodist Church in Carthage where he served for decades in many capacities including on the Board of Trustees and as Secretary/Treasurer. In addition to his parents and wife, he was also preceded in death by brother, James Smith; great-grandchildren, Cohen Riley LaGrone and Khyler Kruz Saucedo; and caregiver, Hazel Williams.

He is survived by his daughter, Helen Ruth Gibson and husband Ricky; sons, Alan Ray Smith and wife Tracey and Terry Lynn Smith and wife Robin; siblings, Paul Davis Smith and Marcella Rozell; grandchildren, Brooke Lipsey (Stuart), Brandy LaGrone (C.J.), Daron Dorsey (Jessica), Skye Dorsey (Brooke), Kristy Saucedo (Javier), Garrett Smith (Tiffany), Brandon Smith (Ali), Weston Gibson (Caitlin), and Rance Gibson (McKenzie); and great-grandchildren, Olivia, Travis, and Evelyn Lipsey, Blayton and Bransyn LaGrone, Jade and Avery Dorsey, Averie and Allie Blocker, Adrian, Julian, and Aaron Saucedo, Rhett Smith, Aurora and Graham Gibson, and Kirby Jo and Waylon Gibson.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Mr. Smith's caregivers, Jessie Tatum, Ira Woodard, and Sandra Jones.

A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, February 27, 2023, at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Doug Wintermute, Rev. Billy Bledsoe, and Bud Worley officiating. Interment will follow in Rehobeth Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home.

Pallbearers are Daron Dorsey, Garrett Smith, Brandon Smith, Weston Gibson, Rance Gibson, Stuart Lipsey, and Javier Saucedo. Honorary pallbearers are C.J. LaGrone, Adrian Saucedo, Blayton LaGrone, Bransyn LaGrone, Travis Lipsey, Julian Saucedo, Aaron Saucedo, Waylon Gibson, Rhett Smith, and Graham Gibson.

Memorials may be made to the CISD Education Foundation, #1 Bulldog Drive, Carthage, Texas 75633 or St. Andrew's United Methodist Church, Post Office Box 144, Carthage, Texas 75633.

A guestbook may be signed at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.