Nina Smith

Nina Smith was born December 19, 1916 in the Caledonia Community, near Timpson, TX on the family farm. Nina was the second of twelve children born to William Leland Murphy and Ollie Maxwell Murphy. On March 13, 1943 she was united in marriage to Lovis Oden Smith, and to this marriage two children were born; Mike Smith & Judy Smith Toon. Lovis preceded Nina in death November 16, 1999. Nina attended grade school in New London and graduated from Henderson, High School in 1936; she attended Lon Morris Junior College and Texas State College for Women (now TWU) graduating in May 1941 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Kindergarten-Primary Education. She taught kindergarten in the London School District for two years, first grade in Henderson School District for three years and kindergarten for twenty eight years in the Leverett’s Chapel School District; retiring in 1982. Throughout her teaching career she received several awards. Nina loved children and all children naturally loved her. Nina was a member of the First United Methodist Church and served as President of her Sunday School Class for twenty-eight years before the class dissolved in 2010. She served on the board of directors for the Rusk County Teachers Credit Union for several years; she was a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society, the Rusk County Retired Teachers Association, Texas Classroom Teachers Association, the Texas State Teachers Association, Parent Teacher Association and the National Education Association. In 1975 she was listed as one of the Outstanding Elementary Teachers of America. In addition to her husband, Lovis, Nina was preceded in death by the following brothers and sisters; Leland Murphy, Jewel Faris, James Murphy, Dorothy Murphy, Kizzie Melchior, Susie Murphy, Jackie Wesson, Evelyn Ward and Marie Barns. Brother-in-law’s; B. F. Barnes, John Faris, Vincent Melchor and Harold Wesson. She is survived by her son Mike Smith and wife Mary Lou of Henderson; daughter Judy Smith Toon and husband Jackie of Henderson; brother Virgil Murphy of Fruita, Colorado and sister Clarine Brinkley of Waco, TX; brother-in-law Lamar Brinkly of Waco, sister-in-laws Mertie Murphy of New London, TX, Joy Murphy of Carthage, TX and Amy Murphy of Fruita, Co.; grandchildren, Chuck Smith, Chad Smith, Christi Gardsbane, Scott Toon and Gregg Toon; 8 great grandchildren. Nina passed away on November 3, 2014 while at Emeritus with her family by her side. Mrs. Smith's family will receive friends from 1-2 pm on Thursday, November 6, 2014 at First United Methodist Church. Funeral services will follow at 2 pm at the church with Rev. David Luckert officiating. Interment will be at Pleasant Hill Cemetery under the direction of Crawford-A. Crim Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be Chuck Smith, Chad Smith, Sam Gardsbane, Scott Toon, Greg Toon, Jackson Toon, John Bates, Shepherd Smith, and John Smith. If desired, memorial donations may be made to First United Methodist Church at 204 N. Marshall, Henderson, TX 75652, First Baptist Church Children's Building Fund at 207 W. Main St., Henderson, TX 75652, and/or Hospice of East Texas at 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, TX 75701. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.crawfordacrim.com.

Nina Smith

December 19, 1916 - November 3, 2014