Elnora Smith

Funeral services for Elnora Smith, 79, of Gainesville are set for Friday, Jan. 8, 2010 at 2 p.m. at the Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home Chapel with burial to follow in Fairview Cemetery.

Elnora Leah Miller Smith was born Nov. 25, 1930 to Rachel and Tony Miller in Era. She graduated from high school in 1928 as valedictorian of her class. She lead her class in academic studies for five successive years. She was chosen to be Texas 4-H delegate attending the National 4-H Club Encampment in Washington, D.C. in 1947 and Gold Star Girl; voted “Most Likey to Succeed,” had a perfect attendance all through school. She began studying piano at the age of 10.

On Aug. 22, 1948, Elnora married David R. Smith. Last August, they celebrated 61 years together. Elnora shared a lifetime of accomplishments with her late husband and worked by his side every day to make their farm busines a success.

Elnora entered many sewing competitions and in 1949, she won first place in the local competition, sponsored by Cox’s Department Store, showcasing wool and mohair.

She was a correspondent for many organizations including the local newspaper, Downard Fairplains Home Demonstration Club, Rural Neighborhood Progress Club, North Texas Milking Shorthorn Club and Cooke County Farm Bureau.

She was active in the PTA and served as President in 1973. She was the first person to ever be awarded the life time membership to the PTA.

Elnora’s keen talents of oil painted landscapes have taken top honors in many art shows in the area. She studied technique and composition under many well known artists, such as the late Catherine Kilgore, Patricia Wilaford, and Dalhart Windber. She and Retha bond organized the Gainesville Area Visual Arts in 1992. Their fforts provided the community with knowledge, training and interest in Art. Work shops and shows were held to stimulate and develop awareness of Art appreciation. She was president in 1996 and 1998.

Elnora has always been interested in watching things grow. She joined the Garden Club in 1961. Flower Shows were part of the Garden Club activity which she quickly grasped and exceled in this field. She was a National Flower Show Judge and was well known all over the state of Texas for her award winning designs. She created a flower arrangement which was one of fifty-five arrangements chosen from three hundred and fifty entries. This winning masterpeice landed her a page in the National Council of State Garden Club, Inc. 1996 Calendar.

She was quoted in a newspaper article for her talents saying, I don’t take any credit for my talent that I have. I am only the vessel through which it’s manifested. The credit goes to a higher power. I’m only a vehicle through which all of it has been transmitted.”

Elnora was active in her church until strokes and health problems limited her mobility. She gave freely to her Community Church and North Central Texas College, where the college named the Elnora Smith Greenhouse in her honor. She was always available to help a friend or family member...to know her, was to love, a woman of steel and she always had a smile.

On Dec. 18, 2009, she fill victim to congestive heart failure, hours after her late husband passed.

She is survived by her four children, Bobby, Charlotte, Paul Smith and Patty and son-in-law, Tim Camp; daughters-in-law, Angela and Beverly; eight grandchildren, Christi Weems, Salena Overcash, Ashlee Smith Medina, John Paul, David Brandon, Joshua, Ethan and Matthew; nine great-grandchildren, Garrett, Austin, Bridgette, Brian, Riggen, Caden, Carson, Bayley, Rahylor; one sister, Pat Ford and one brother, Martin Lewis Miller.

Pallbearers are Bud Ford, Jerry Wayne Ford, Troy Ford, Randy Miller, Rickey Miller, Ronnie Miller, David Miller and Jimmy Mossman.

Honorary pallbearers are David Huffman, Vernon Austin and Rod Tyler.

Visitation will be this evening from 6 to 7 p.m.

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