Funeral service for Jerome Smith, age 80, of Owens, will be held at 10:00 AM, Friday, August 26, 2022, in the Heartland Funeral Home Chapel.  Burial will follow in the Pleasant Valley Cemetery.  The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday evening from 6:00 until 8:00.

Jerome passed away on Monday, August 22, 2022.

Thomas Jerome Smith was born on March 25, 1942, in Holder to Tommie Lavora Pittman and Josiah Jerome Smith.  He married Ruth Nelson on January 26, 1963, in Brownwood.  Jerome graduated from Howard Payne University with a Bachelor of Arts in Education.  He taught in Blanket ISD and later went to work for Superior Cable, from which he retired.

Jerome was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and song leader.  He was also a member of the Brown County Historical Commission and Historical Society.

Jerome enjoyed ranching and spending time with family.

Jerome is survived by his wife of 59 years, Ruth Smith, three children, Jesse Smith and wife Mary Ellen, Thomas Smith and wife Lia, and David Smith and wife Le; seven grandchildren, Kyle, Courtney, Garrett, Jordan, Emma, Lucas and Jacob, and a great-granddaughter, Carson.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his three siblings, Barbara Smith Hudgins, Jodeen Smith Thomas and Dorothy Ann Smith Young.

Condolences, memories, and tributes can be offered to the Smith family at heartlandfuneralhome.net.