Oct. 5, 1936 - March 2, 2023
JOHN ROBERT SMITH The family of John Robert Smith hosted a gathering of family and friends from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Monday, March 6, 2023, at Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers. A service to celebrate his life of 86 years was held at 2:30 PM on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, also at Lake Ridge Chapel, followed by a graveside service at Ropesville Cemetery. He died on Thursday, March 2, 2023, at his home surrounded by his family. Please visit www.memorialdesigners.net to view a recording of the service.
John Robert Smith was born October 5, 1936, to J R and Ocie Beryl (Beeman) Smith in Lubbock, TX. In 1947, he moved to Ropesville and graduated from Ropes High School in 1954. He married Patsy Sosebee on July 15, 1956. John farmed for fifty years retiring in 2006. His passions in life were his family, his relationship with Christ, farming, and serving his community. His service included Ropes School Board, Ropes Coop Gin Board, Hockley County FSA Committee, Hockley County Appraisal Review Board, the Gideon’s Organization, and Ropes Nazarene Church. He also enjoyed volunteering at the Fibermax Center for Discovery. He loved to sing and led the singing at the Ropes Nazarene Church for many years.
Those left to honor and cherish his memory are his wife of sixty-nine years, Patsy of Ropesville; children, Randy Smith (Pat) of Ropesville, LaWana Ferguson (Randy) of Levelland, Larry Smith (Becky), and Sherry Airhart all of Ropesville; 12 grandchildren; 25 greatgrandchildren; brother Gerald Smith of Lubbock; and sister, Martha Vaughn of Ropesville.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, James Smith, and Mickey Smith; and sister, Donnie Allen.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to the Fibermax Center for Discovery at https:// agriculturehistory.org, Ropes Nazarene Church Compassionate Ministries, P.O. Box 145 Ropesville, Texas 79385 or Gideon’s International at https:// www.gideons.org in John’s memory.