Jessie Dunn Smith

Jessie Dunn Smith left this life Friday, March 21, 2008 at the age of 98. Funeral services were held Monday, March 24, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. in the Carroway-Claybar Funeral Home Chapel. The service was conducted by James Slack with grandson Brian Bruce delivering the eulogy and granddaughters Shelley Tatum and Ryanne Smith reading favorite selections of their grandmother: Interment followed in the Largent Cemetery.

"Miss Jessie" was born October 13, 1909 in Angelina County, Texas to William B. and ldella Eason Dunn. She married LB. "Jiggs" Smith October5, 1941.

After a childhood on a farm in the Little Dunn Community, Miss Jessie graduated from Lufkin High School. Upon the conclusion of attending Stephen F. Austin State University for one year, she began teaching at Hudson School and attending summer school classes at SFA to complete her bachelors degree. She earned her Master of Arts in English some years later, again attending classes at night and during her summers. She taught various levels and subjects, but completed the last years of her career as an English teacher at Hudson High School. Mrs. Smith was. always involved in school activities, helping produce the Hudson TA Halloween carnival for many years, directing three-act plays for the classes she sponsored, and attending as well as coaching sporting and academic events at the school. During her teaching years, she became a lifetime member of the Texas State Teachers' Association and the Parent Teacher Association. After retiring from teaching, she read, did needlework, and preserved the vegetables and fruits that Jiggs raised in his garden. She was an active member of the Fourth and Groesbeck, Union Road, and Central Churches of Christ.

She was preceded in death by Jiggs, her husband of 60 years: her parents; three brothers; one sister; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and Victor Bruce, Jr. of Lufkini; son and daughter-in-law, Barry and Libbi Smith of Houston; son, Melvin Smith of Austin; granddaughter and husband, Shelley and Scott Tatum and great-granddaughters, Victoria and Elizabeth Tatum, all of Lulkin; grandson and wife, Brian and Tern Bruce; great-grandson, Benjamin Bruce and great-granddaughter, Hannah Bruce, all of Friendswood; granddaughter, Ryanne Smith and grandson, Matthew Smith, both of Houston She is survived as well by her sisterin law, Evie Smith and many nieces and nephews. Additionally, while not family by bloodline but family by ties of love, there are the wonderful caregivers and friends who came her way during her eleven year residency at the Neches House.

Pallbearers were Tom Dunn, Joe Dunn, Matthew Smith, Brian Bruce, Scott Tatum and Vidor Bruce, Jr.

Memorials may be made to Hospice in the Pines, 116 S. Raguet Street, Lufkin, Texas 75904, or a charity of the givers choice.