Earl Smith

Earl Randall Smith, 89 of Abilene, passed away at his home on April 28, 2010. Services for Mr. Smith will be at 10:00 am on Friday April 30th, 2010 at the Piersall Benton Chapel, 733 Butternut St with burial to follow at Elmwood Cemetery. There will be a visitation on Thursday from 6-8 pm at the funeral home.


Earl was born, December 18, 1920 in Fairland, Burnet Co. Texas. He moved to Abilene as a child and attended Turner's Chapel school in Jones County. He married Eleanor Phillips in Abilene in 1947. To this union was born a son Randy. Eleanor and Randy preceded Earl in death. In 1959 Earl married Betty Sterling in Carlsbad, New Mexico and together they moved to Abilene in 1960. He started work as an optician at age 23 in Harr Texas. Earl was an optician for American Optical for 20 years and owned Frenchman's optical in Abilene for 36 years. He enjoyed working in his garden and yard, making model airplanes and spending time with his family and grandchildren. Earl was a faithful member of the Baker Heights Church of Christ and will be missed by all his family and friends.


Preceding Earl in death are his parents, four brothers; Carl, Carrel, F.R.(Bunt), and Jimmy Smith, a sister; Beulah Glover, a son; Milton Randall "Randy" Smith and his first wife Eleanor Phillips Smith. He is survived by his wife Betty and sons Rodney Smith and wife Jill and Rickie Smith and wife Krystal, all of Abilene; four grandchildren Christopher and wife Erica, Joshua, Amber and Guage, all of Abilene. In addition, he is survived by a brother M.W."Lovie" Smith and wife Barbara of Cross Plains.

Donations may be made in honor of Earl to the Baker Heights Church of Christ or Hendrick Hospice Care. Condolences may be offered to the family online at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com.