Norman Matthew Smith, 86, of Beaumont and Canal City, Texas, passed on Tuesday, June 19, 2007. He was born to Lucy and William Smith on November 5, 1920 in Port Arthur, Texas as the middle sibling of six brothers and five sisters. Norman was preceded in death by his beloved wife of sixty years, Martha Lee McMahon Smith.
Norman lived the majority of his life in the Port Arthur-Beaumont area. After proudly serving his country in the 8th United States Army Air Corps in Europe during World War II, he returned to marry his sweetheart Martha and start a family, settling in the South Park area of Beaumont.
Retiring from the welding department of Gulf Oil Refinery in Port Arthur after thirty years, he focused his attention on caring for his real-estate properties and twenty-four years of designing, creating and installing custom ironwork as the owner of Smith’s Ornamental Iron in the South Park area of Beaumont. Norman’s designs and creations still grace many homes and businesses throughout the Golden Triangle Area.
An avid fisherman, gardener, cook and handyman, he spent much of his time enjoying his beach house and fishing in and around East Bay, Rollover Pass and the waterways of the Bolivar Peninsula. He was a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and friend who would extend the hand of friendship to young and old alike. His philosophy toward life was evident by his frequent encouragement to his family to go fishing and then to enjoy the results in mouthwatering gumbos, crispy fish fries, lots of fresh vegetables and a big banana pudding to top it off.
Norman was a longtime member of St. Paul United Methodist Church of Beaumont, South Beaumont Lions Club and G.A.D. Club.
Norman is survived by his sons, Norman David Smith and his wife Patti of Denton, Texas, Donald Kevin Smith and his wife Josephine of Huntsville, Texas and Barry Joel Smith of Beaumont, Texas; his daughter, Jennifer Lee Taylor and her husband Roy of Beaumont, Texas; two brothers, Donald Smith and Roland Smith; two sisters, Fern Carville and Hope Martin; and nine grandchildren, Katie Smith, Kelli Smith, Kristen Smith, Dustin Thomas, Norman Matthew Smith II, Samuel Kevin Smith, Emilee Taylor, Carlee Smith, and Chris Smith; and many nieces and nephews.
His brothers, Seidel Smith, Jesse I. Smith, and Harry Smith; and sisters, Muriel Watson, Janice McDaniel and Mary Williams preceded him in death.
Funeral services will be 3:00 p.m. Saturday, June 23, 2007 at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont followed by burial at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. A gathering of family and friends will be from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday, June 22, 2007, at the Mortuary.
Memorial contributions may be made to, St Paul United Methodist Church, 4445 Pershing, Beaumont, Texas 77705
