Edward Lee "Sam" Smith

Graveside service for Edward Lee "Sam" Smith will be held on Saturday, October 31, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. Hillcrest Cemetery, Marlin, Texas. The Family will have a private viewing on Friday, October 30, 2020 from 12:00 noon until 2:00 p.m., Public  viewing  will be from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. at the Funeral Home. Masks are required.

An Epitome of Life

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:  A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

~ Ecclesiastes 3: 1-2

On Tuesday, October 20, 2020, Edward “Sam” Smith, peacefully crossed over from this world to a place of eternal living.  Edward Lee “Sam” Smith was born on June 3, 1952 in Marlin, Falls County, Texas.  His mother, Annie Faye Smith and father, T. C. Ratliff, preceded him in death. Sam, as he was affectionately called, accepted, and received hope and faith in Christ at an early age under the pastorage of the late Rev. R. J. Lewis at the Greater Providence Baptist Church in Marlin. He remained a faithful member at Greater Providence serving in many capacities under the leadership of Pastor F. A. Green, Sr. Some of his roles included singing in the choir, maintenance, and landscaper.

Sam started his educational pathway at the Booker T. Washington Schools and was a class of 1970 graduate of Marlin High School.  He attended Paul Quinn College in Waco only to transfer and graduate from Texas College in Tyler, TX on a baseball scholarship. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. Soon after graduation, Sam united in holy matrimony with the love of his life, Cathy Gorman Smith, who preceded him in death. To this union, two wonderful daughters, Charketta and Tyesha, made the family complete.

Sam was awarded many job opportunities to include a Falls County probation officer, short-term teacher and was employed  at the Mexia State School. Upon his demise, Sam was employed for eighteen years by Area Wide Protective Traffic Control (AWP).  Sam was a member of the Hopeful Masonic Lodge #78 F & AM P.H.A. of Marlin.  

Sam loved the Lord, lived well, laughed often, and loved much. He enjoyed the world of sports especially basketball and baseball as he played on the local Black Cat Baseball Team. Win, lose, or tie, Sam was an avid Cowboy fan. He took pride in his landscape services and was often requested for handyman jobs.  Sam was willing to help anyone the best he could but for those who knew him, Sam was only going to be there for a minute! Looking sharp is not about putting on an illusion, it is about the mindset! Sam was a sharp, well-dressed man coordinating from head to toe, and known for his many fashionable hats.

The bond that links the true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other’s life. Sam cherished his loving relationship of many years with Marilyn Freeman. They were like “Two peas in a pod”. He also had a close relationship with his late Aunt Alberta Smith and cousins in Dallas and his Uncle Willie “Big Bill” Smith of Marlin.

Angels standing to welcome Sam home preceding him in death include his wife Cathy Gorman Smith, stepson, Thaddeus Freeman II, special cousin Rita Smith and numerous grands, great-grands, and other family members.

In his life, Sam touched so many, but in his death, many lives were changed.  His loving memory will never be forgotten by those who continue to love and remember his life best:  Daughters, Shenique Sanders of Marlin, TX; Charketta Gorman of Lawton, Oklahoma; Tyesha Smith Lowe (Broderick Sr.) of Glenn Heights, TX, Markeeta Cheeves of Houston, TX and ShaNae Freeman of Marlin, TX; one half-brother, James Charles Ratliff of Marlin, TX. He was blessed with 12 grandchildren: Courtnee Cooper (Treyvon), Jaismine Sather, Broderick “Deuce” Lowe II, Alexis Thompson (Ronnie), Christopher Sanders, Shaquilla and Latrice Harris, Alexzasha, Jaykayla and Jadarrion Cheeves, Thaddeus Freeman III, Skye Simmons and 17 great-grandchildren; Two devoted cousins, Esther Johnson, and Elizabeth Richardson; Best friends, Charles Trotter and Hulen Hill Sr. and a host of relatives and friends.

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