Elwood Smith

James Elwood Smith was born in Littlefield, TX on September 6, 1935 to JC and Jean Smith. He died peacefully on December 13, 2023, in Temple, TX, his home for the past 58 years. He was preceded in death by his parents and his loving wife of 62 years, Lovenia Ann Jones Smith. Together they co-founded PaperGraphics in 1972. In 2015, he added a FASTSIGNS franchise with his sons, Dennis and Doug.

He is survived by his wife Sharon, and by his children Darla and Nancy, Connie and John, Dennis and Gena, Doug and Lisa. He was Pop to grandchildren, Jeff and Amber, Todd and Abbey, Maggie and Zach, Paxton and Sarah, Theo, Mercedes, Hailey and Luke, Calvin, Reagan and Josh and to his great-grandchildren, Oliver, Leo, Lila, Jackson, Wells, Daxton and Charlotte. He is also survived by his sister, Patricia Smith Yarbrough, his aunt, June Ford Guthrie, sister-in-law, Lehman Jones and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Elwood was not only a successful businessman but also an active member of the community. He engaged in a variety of activities to include sailing, cycling, sign language interpretation and community theatre. In 1994, he was recognized as Quick Printer of the Year by the National Association of Quick Printers. He was a founding member of the Big T Toastmasters Club of Temple. He was proudest of his 40 plus years of perfect attendance at the Temple Founder Lions Club where he served as President and Chaplain. He was a long time member of Western Hills Church of Christ where he loved teaching Bible class. Elwood lived the life we are all called to live, a life of service to family, friends, community and God.

Visitation will be at Scanio-Harper Funeral Home on Saturday, December 16, 2023 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm and the funeral service will be at the Western Hills Church of Christ on Sunday, December 17, 2023 at 2:30pm with Scott Meyer officiating. Burial will be at Bellwood Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts be made to Temple Founder Lions Club Charities, PO Box 544, Temple, TX 76503.