lucious brant "buddy" smitherman, jr
Lucius Brant "Buddy"
Smitherman, Jr. passed away at his home in Calvert on July 18, 2008, at
the age of 86 years, 11 months, and 18 days. Funeral services will be
held 12:30 p.m. Sunday, July 20, 2008, at First Baptist Church in
Calvert, with interment at the Sunnyside Cemetery in Calvert.
Lucius was born August 10, 1921, to Lucius Brant, Sr. and Lydia Young Smitherman, at Crossroads in Milam County, Texas. "Buddy," as family and most people knew him, was the "middle marker," or 6th child, in a family of eleven children. He was also known as "Smitty."
He learned to ride a horse almost as soon as he walked and grew up as a cowboy at his father's side. He graduated from Calvert High School at the age of 16, drove a truck and worked at Calvert Livestock Commission, then attended Texas A&M University at College Station for one year. At age 18, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps, which later became the U.S. Air Corps, and completed 24 years of service, having attained the rank of Master Chief Sergeant. Among his duties in the military were Gunnery Instructor, flying as tail gunner on B-52's during World War II, and was head of a photographic equipment repair shop.
He received an "Air Force Commendation Medal" for meritorious service as Noncommissioned Officer in charge of the Analysis Section 4510th Combat Crew Training Wing, Luke Air Force Base, Arizona from August 1, 1963 to November 30, 1965.
During this period, Sergeant Smitherman demonstrated invaluable professional skill and vast knowledge of aircraft maintenance and management analysis procedures. Through his technical knowledge, self-sacrifice and tireless devotion to duty, the 4510th Combat Crew Training Wing Analysis Section achieved recognition throughout Twelfth Air Force for its high standards and mission accomplishment. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Smitherman reflect credit upon himself and the United States Air Force."
When Buddy retired from the Air Force in 1970, he and his wife, Martha Franklin Correll Smitherman, whom he married in 1953, moved back to Calvert. He raised cattle, served as president of the Calvert School Board, and as Constable and Acting City Marshall.
Buddy was a member of the First Baptist Church of Calvert, where he was a longtime Sunday school teacher of teenaged boys and later of men. He served as a deacon and was chairman of the Mission Committee for Misión Bautista, Calvert, a mission of First Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Martha; one step-son, James F. Correll Jr; two brothers, Edward Sommer Smitherman and Wilford Eugene (Unk) Smitherman; seven sisters, Jewell Williams, Ollie Mae (Curly) McClaren, Ruby Lucille Yount, Lucy Florine (Chookie) Ellis, Ethel Bennye Woodall, Elva Lee (Pug) (Doodle) Bouldin, and Wanda Rhea (Chick) Satterwhite.
He is survived by his loving wife of 12 years, Sybil Basham Eakin Smitherman, of the home; one sister, Hazel Marie (Pete) Kuzel, of Calvert; one step-son, Benjamin Edward Eakin, of Waco; two step-daughters, Carolyne Lee (Suzie) Correll Sauers, of Vacaville, Calif. and Judith Yvonne Eakin, of Madrid, Spain; one step-daughter-in-law, JoAnn Correll, of Chattanooga, Tenn.; one step-granddaughter, Kay Correll Carter, of Stone Mountain, Ga.; two step-grandsons, James F. Correll III (Jay), of Apison, Ga., and Charles David Correll, of Ringgold, Ga.; eight step great grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; many loving nieces and nephews; and numerous friends.
Pallbearers will be nephews, Jeff and Joe Smitherman, and Ernest Henry Walston III (Trip); grandsons, Jay and Charles Correll; and step-son, Benjamin Eakin. Honorary pallbearers will be deacons of the First Baptist Church, J.C. Woods, Kyle Gregory, Elvin Kyle, David Viscardi, and Travis Cochran.
Memorials can be made to Hospice Brazos Valley, 502 West 26 St., Bryan, Texas 77803.
Arrangements are under the direction of Heartfield-Ritter Funeral Home in Hearne.
Lucius was born August 10, 1921, to Lucius Brant, Sr. and Lydia Young Smitherman, at Crossroads in Milam County, Texas. "Buddy," as family and most people knew him, was the "middle marker," or 6th child, in a family of eleven children. He was also known as "Smitty."
He learned to ride a horse almost as soon as he walked and grew up as a cowboy at his father's side. He graduated from Calvert High School at the age of 16, drove a truck and worked at Calvert Livestock Commission, then attended Texas A&M University at College Station for one year. At age 18, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps, which later became the U.S. Air Corps, and completed 24 years of service, having attained the rank of Master Chief Sergeant. Among his duties in the military were Gunnery Instructor, flying as tail gunner on B-52's during World War II, and was head of a photographic equipment repair shop.
He received an "Air Force Commendation Medal" for meritorious service as Noncommissioned Officer in charge of the Analysis Section 4510th Combat Crew Training Wing, Luke Air Force Base, Arizona from August 1, 1963 to November 30, 1965.
During this period, Sergeant Smitherman demonstrated invaluable professional skill and vast knowledge of aircraft maintenance and management analysis procedures. Through his technical knowledge, self-sacrifice and tireless devotion to duty, the 4510th Combat Crew Training Wing Analysis Section achieved recognition throughout Twelfth Air Force for its high standards and mission accomplishment. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Smitherman reflect credit upon himself and the United States Air Force."
When Buddy retired from the Air Force in 1970, he and his wife, Martha Franklin Correll Smitherman, whom he married in 1953, moved back to Calvert. He raised cattle, served as president of the Calvert School Board, and as Constable and Acting City Marshall.
Buddy was a member of the First Baptist Church of Calvert, where he was a longtime Sunday school teacher of teenaged boys and later of men. He served as a deacon and was chairman of the Mission Committee for Misión Bautista, Calvert, a mission of First Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Martha; one step-son, James F. Correll Jr; two brothers, Edward Sommer Smitherman and Wilford Eugene (Unk) Smitherman; seven sisters, Jewell Williams, Ollie Mae (Curly) McClaren, Ruby Lucille Yount, Lucy Florine (Chookie) Ellis, Ethel Bennye Woodall, Elva Lee (Pug) (Doodle) Bouldin, and Wanda Rhea (Chick) Satterwhite.
He is survived by his loving wife of 12 years, Sybil Basham Eakin Smitherman, of the home; one sister, Hazel Marie (Pete) Kuzel, of Calvert; one step-son, Benjamin Edward Eakin, of Waco; two step-daughters, Carolyne Lee (Suzie) Correll Sauers, of Vacaville, Calif. and Judith Yvonne Eakin, of Madrid, Spain; one step-daughter-in-law, JoAnn Correll, of Chattanooga, Tenn.; one step-granddaughter, Kay Correll Carter, of Stone Mountain, Ga.; two step-grandsons, James F. Correll III (Jay), of Apison, Ga., and Charles David Correll, of Ringgold, Ga.; eight step great grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; many loving nieces and nephews; and numerous friends.
Pallbearers will be nephews, Jeff and Joe Smitherman, and Ernest Henry Walston III (Trip); grandsons, Jay and Charles Correll; and step-son, Benjamin Eakin. Honorary pallbearers will be deacons of the First Baptist Church, J.C. Woods, Kyle Gregory, Elvin Kyle, David Viscardi, and Travis Cochran.
Memorials can be made to Hospice Brazos Valley, 502 West 26 St., Bryan, Texas 77803.
Arrangements are under the direction of Heartfield-Ritter Funeral Home in Hearne.