Published: November 02, 2009 07:00 am      

Sterling Aaron Smith

Sterling Aaron Smith, 71, of Orange, passed away Sunday, November 1, 2009 at his home after an illness. Services to remember his life will be at 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, November 4, 2009 in the Chapel of Dorman Funeral Home in Orange. Officiating will be Reverend Bill Burch, pastor of the Brownwood Baptist Church in Orange. Interment will follow services in Autumn Oaks Memorial Park in the McLewis community of Orange. A gathering of family and friends for a time of reflection will be from 5:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M. on Tuesday at the funeral home. Born on June 19, 1938 in Geneva, Texas to parents, Ray Smith and Audie (McClelland) Smith, he had lived in Orange for the last 45 years, had previously lived in Casper, Wyoming, he retired as a truck driver and a mechanic in the Road and Bridge Department with Orange County, he served in the United States Army during peacetime in Germany and he was a member of the Brownwood Baptist Church in Orange. Mr. Smith was a simple kind of man who enjoyed hunting, fishing, his job as a truck driver and he enjoyed spending time with his family. He cherished each of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and he loved them all in his own special way. He is preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Lorraine Owens; his first wife, Grace Smith; his daughter, Tracy Wright and his granddaughter, Kathy Taylor. Those who will most cherish his memory are his loving wife, Linda A. Smith of Orange; his daughters, Christina Dehm and husband Michael, Rhonda Earnest and husband William and Keri Harrison and husband Scotty all of Orange; his sons, Ray Smith and wife Loretta of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Robert Smith and wife Shanon, Dallas Smith and wife Belynda and William Smith and wife Amanda all of Orange; his brother, Gerald Smith and wife Claire of Beaumont; fifteen grandchildren, five great grandchildren and numerous extended family and friends.