78R14993 MDM-D

By:  Bohac                                                        H.R. No. 1097



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, January 7, 2003 marked the ninth anniversary of the 
death of Ed B. Smith, whose passing in 1994, at the age of 85, deeply 
saddened his family and many friends; and
	WHEREAS, A native Texan, he was born on May 3, 1908, in 
Bertram, and with his parents and eight siblings soon moved to a 
South Texas farm in what was one of the most prolific cotton and 
vegetable farming areas in the nation; he attended Robstown High 
School, where he was known for his athletic prowess as a member of 
the Robstown Cotton Pickers football team that made it to state 
championship level; and
	WHEREAS, Not long after enrolling at Texas A&I College on a 
football scholarship, Mr. Smith broke his collarbone in an 
accident, which caused him to leave school to seek employment; and
	WHEREAS, He met his future bride, the former Cecilia 
McPherson, in Houston; through the years, their close and enduring 
relationship was blessed with two cherished sons, Edward and Gary 
Smith, and Mr. Smith took great pleasure in being a father and a 
grandfather; and
	WHEREAS, He joined the staff of Walter A. Smith Paving 
Company, owned by his brother, and held the position of vice 
president for a number of years; in 1952, he joined the Salvation 
Baptist Church, where he faithfully served his fellow congregants 
as a deacon and associate pastor; and
	WHEREAS, Those who had the good fortune to share the 
friendship of this fine gentleman will long miss his presence, and 
he is fondly remembered by all those whose lives he touched; now, 
therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Ed B. Smith; and, be 
it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of 
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Ed B. 
Smith.