Hershel Leroy Smith

Sergeant Hershel Leroy Smith was born on July 17th, 1939, in McLean, TX to Riley and Effie Smith and passed into glory on February 5th, 2018 from his home in Lelia Lake. Hershel served in the Army reserves from 1956-1958 and in the US Navy from 1958-1962. He married Frances Cawlfield on Feb 4, 1966, in McLean and later that year he began a career with the Texas Dept. of Public Safety. He was first stationed in Houston and in 1969 he was transferred to the Lubbock office. He was moved to Amarillo in 1976 where was remained until he retired.

While in Lubbock he accepted Christ as his savior. In 1974 he surrendered to music ministry. He was later ordained and served as a deacon at Memorial Baptist church in Lubbock and Ridgecrest Baptist Church in Amarillo. He was licensed to the gospel ministry in 1976 and later ordained as a minister in 1983. At the time of his death he was the pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Amarillo.

Hershel was an avid Christian and golfer and used his love of golf to share the gospel with whoever he could. He had a desire to share Jesus Christ and the gift of God’s grace with everyone he met and loved.

Hershel is survived by his wife of 52 years, Frances Smith, his daughters, Ginger McMullin and Heather Branham and husband Alan of the Amarillo and Canyon area. Also by his adopted son and daughter, Rodney and Kerri Cross of Amarillo. He leaves behind six grandchildren, Asher McMullin and wife Beth, Zeke Smith and wife Randi, Lydia Handon and husband Ben, Tori Staley and husband Jesse, Josiah McMullin and wife Kristen and Rachel McMullin and by six great grandchildren. He is also survived by brothers Arvin and Warren Smith and sister Sadie Green as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews that he loved. He is preceded in death by his parents, his son, Heath Smith, his brothers Freddie, Larry, Harold (Casper) and James Smith and his sister, Helen Anderson.

Services will be Thursday, February 8th at 2:00 pm at Oasis (Southwest Baptist Church) in Amarillo, Texas officiated by Pastor Anthony Pennington and Internment at Memory Gardens.