Joe Albert Smith

Joe Albert Smith was born on July 20, 1925, and raised in McLeansboro, Illinois. Joe joined the Navy when he was 17 years old. He served as gunner on several supply ships and traveled the world during WWII. He met Cleo Johnson while on shore leave in New Orleans, La., in April 1945. After a whirlwind romance of two weeks, they were married. Through forty years, Joe worked his way from plant operator for Tennessee Gas Transmission Company to vice-president of Channel Industries. He retired in Houston. Joe and Cleo moved to Tyler in June 1992 to leave the hectic life of Houston.

Joe is survived by the love of his life, Cleo Smith; daughter, Joe Ann Burton, of The Woodlands, and her two sons, Thad Whisenant and wife, Molly, and Ted Whisenant; daughter, Pam Johnson and son-in-law, Bill Johnson, of Tyler and her three daughters, Karen Hughes, Alison Pratka and her husband Darren, and Kelly Johnson. He leaves 3 brothers, Robert Smith, Eddie Marriott and Jim Marriott; and one sister-in-law, Deanie Smith, widow of Richard Smith. He also leaves ten great-grandsons; four great-granddaughters, one great-great-granddaughter; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Claude E. Smith and Agnes Smith Marriott; and by his brother, Richard Smith.

He was a member of Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Church and was active in several different organizations within the church, including serving as Grand Knight in the Knights of Columbus here in Tyler and in Houston, Joe Smith shall always be remembered for his competitive spirit. The family wishes to thank the Hamptons in Tyler for providing him a wonderful place to call home in his final years, to Shannon with the Hamptons Plus Care and to his friends who played “Skip-bo” with him every night at the Hamptons.

There will be a memorial service on Thursday August 22, 2013, at 2:00 pm at Lloyd James Funeral Home with The Father Justin Braun officiating.