Alva C. “A.C.” Smythe, Jr., 85, of Beaumont, died Saturday, January 30, 2010, at Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital. A native and lifelong resident of Beaumont, A.C. was born October 20, 1924, to Fae Marie and Alva Smythe, Sr. A.C. Smythe, Jr. He began life as a rather frail child being born under 3 lbs. His mother, Fae and Grandmother Gober were very protective of their “Sonny Boy”.
He graduated from Beaumont High School in 1942. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Beaumont for many years and later became a member of Pine Burr Baptist Church. After high school, he wanted to join the military, but his eyesight kept him from qualifying for service. He began working at the Port of Beaumont as a mail carrier during World War II. In 1943, he got a job working at Gulf States Utilities where his father also worked. He served as Right-Of-Way man in the Engineering Department and his talkative, friendly, polite and joking nature negotiated many an easement deal for GSU. He had an eye for detail and was a perfectionist in his work. He retired at age sixty-three after forty-three years of service.
A.C. loved to tell stories and jokes. He had a remarkable memory of detailed events from high school days and his work at GSU. Although he had few words in his last few years, he never lost his sense of quick wit. The nurses at the Arboretum of Winnie said he would crack them up quite frequently and that he was constantly wheeling all around the nursing home. If you ask him where he was going, he would just say “Crazy” and then give you a big smile. We all loved his smile.
He loved his sweets and could be seen at Dairy Queen on Calder nearly every Tuesday for thirty years along with his wife, Dorothy, cousins and friends. His favorite desert was the “Heath-Bar Blizzard”, and it had to be delivered at least weekly, even in the nursing home
A.C. loved his family, friends, and pets. His social groups included Pine Burr Baptist Church, Tolerance Masonic Lodge (past Master), Beaumont High School graduation class, co-workers at GSU and the “Golden Guppies” from the YMCA.
His wife, Dorothy Smythe preceded him in death.
Survivors include his daughters, Janice Kelley and her husband John, and Judy Jackson and her husband John; grandchildren, Bryan Baker and his wife Kristin, Jeanne Gilbert and her husband Jason, John Jackson and Jason Jackson; and great-grandchildren, Emily Baker, Natalie Jackson, Ashlea, Tanner, and Kendall Gilbert.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 2, 2010, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont with interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. A gathering of his family and friends will be 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., Monday, February 1, 2010, at Broussard’s.
Memorial contributions may be made to Humane Society of Southeast Texas, P.O. Box 1629, Beaumont, Texas 77726.
