Vernel C. Smith

Schertz, Texas

Vernel C. Smith was born Aug. 3, 1925, in Delta, to Charles W. and Imelda M. Smith, the oldest of 13 children.

Mr. Smith died on Oct. 29, 2013, in Schertz, Texas. Survivors include his son, David V. Smith and wife, Paula, of Frisco, Texas; his daughter, Betty L. Rivera (Johnny) of San Antonio, Texas; and son, Charles A. Smith of Frisco, Texas. Mr. Smith had four grandchildren, William Griffiths of Prattville; Cynthia R. Isbell of North Aurora, Ill., Lisa A. Kapper of North Port, Fla., and David K. Smith of Dripping Springs, Texas. He also had nine great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. Also surviving are his brothers, Charles E. Smith of Jacksonville, Fla., and L. W. Smith of Griffin, Ga.; and sister, Judy Rentfrow of Jacksonville, Fla.

Mr. Smith joined the United States Navy when he was 17 years old and married Louise Violet Mooney on Aug. 28, 1942. He served in both the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Air Force, retiring from the Air Force in 1964. After retiring from the Air Force, he worked for the Department of Defense as a civil servant at Chanute AFB in Rantoul, Ill., until 1980. At that time, he and Louise moved to Lineville where they lived for 15 years. In 1995, they moved to Texas where he remained until his death. He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents and nine of his siblings.

Vernel was a member of Post 6750 Veterans of Foreign Wars in Rantoul, Ill., where he served as Post Commander. He was a lifetime member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Illinois and also a member of the American Legion in Rantoul, Ill.

Memorial service for Vernel Smith is 11 a.m. on Nov. 9, 2013, at Bolton Funeral Home with Rev. Phillip Rush officiating. Burial will follow in Columbiana City Cemetery. Bolton Funeral Home of Columbiana is directing.