Wendell Lee Smith

Wendell Lee Smith, 67, of Orange, died Saturday, July 28, 2007.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held, July 31, 2007 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. With Reverend Michael Strother officiating and burial at St. Marys Cemetery.

Wendell was born September 25, 1939, in Jasper. He was the son of Mercel Ziess Sr. and Mattie Lou Fillyaw Smith. Wendell graduated from Jasper High School in 1958 and then attended Stephen F. Austin University where he was a member of Delta Sigma Phi fraternity. He served in the United States Marine Corp and Reserves. He was a surveyor and woodsman and most recently dealt in land and timber procurement. Mr. Smith was also a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Mercel Ziess Smith, Jr.; and sister, Betty Pearl Spurlock.

He is survived by his wife, Darlene Bilbo Smith; brother, Carl Thomas Smith of Lumberton; daughters and sons-in-law, Leesa McMullen and Don and Kristi Powell and Brian of Orange; son, Brandon Smith of Austin; Grandchildren, Caitlin and Andrew McMullen, Caleb and Wyatt Powell, and Zachary and Avery Smith; nieces and nephews, Troy Johnson, DeeDee Windham, Tommy, Terry, and Phillip Smith, Carl Edwin Beall, and Patricia Shuler.

Serving as pallbearers are Troy Johnson, Jimmy Windham, Tommy Smith, Terry Smith, Tom Stephenson, and John Stephenson.

Honorary pallbearers are Bailey Wagner, R.E. Odom, Jerald Peveto, and Hulen Hopson.

Claybar Funeral Home

504 N. 5th Street Orange, TX 77630

409-886-4445