Port Commissioner Lee Edward Smith, 79  of Beaumont, Texas passed away on Tuesday, October 12, 2021 in Beaumont, Texas.

The Celebration Service celebrating the life of Port Commissioner Lee Edward Smith will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 23, 2021 at Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, located at 1175 Isla Street, Beaumont, Texas with Entombment Service to follow at Live Oak Memorial Park and Cemetery under the direction of Mercy Funeral Home. A public visitation will be held on Friday, October 22, 2021 from 12:00 Noon until 5:00 p.m. at Mercy Funeral Home Chapel and on Saturday, October 23, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the church. The practice of social distancing and facial masks are required.

Reflections of a Life Well-lived

Lee Edward Smith, devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, beloved son, brother and brother-in-law, compassionate uncle and cousin, faithful friend and a Christian man of service, was called from labor to rest Tuesday, October 12, 2021.  Born, November 18, 1941 in Madison County, Texas to Tenolian Smith, Sr. and Ossie Nealey Smith, he was the second of four children born to this union. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Tenolian Smith Jr. and sister, Iva Nell Hawkins.

His development years were spent in Beaumont, Texas.  He was baptized at Magnolia Missionary Baptist Church, and with the guidance of his parents, he received a Christian foundation that enhanced his life-long spiritual journey. He later united with Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, where he remained a faithful, dedicated member until his demise. He attended public schools in Beaumont and was a proud member of the Charlton-Pollard High School class of 1960. After high school, Lee attended Prairie View A & M College, where he met the love of his life, LaRue McAfee, who eventually became his soul-mate and wife of 55 years. Lee was a veteran who served his country in the United States Army.

A respected leader in his community, Lee lived a life of service.  He served his local community and the city of Beaumont in the following capacities: Trustee and usher at Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, vice-president and president of the Port of Beaumont Board of Commissioners, president of the Melton YMCA Board of Directors and Little League Baseball Organization, member of the Metropolitan YMCA Board of Directors, president and founder of the North End Neighborhood Association, service officer of the Dorie E. Miller Post 817 of the American Legion, directed the Post 817 Veterans Day project of placing American flags on graves of veterans, organized the Ameripol Synpol Thanksgiving Food Drive, hospitality chairman of the Charlton-Pollard High School Alumni Association, member of the NAACP, Beaumont Main Street Board and City of Beaumont Adjustment Board.

Cherished memories of Commissioner Lee Edward Smith will be shared by his beloved wife, LaRue, daughter and son-in-law, Lesia and Stephen Linton, three grandchildren, Taylor, Ryan and Lauryn, brother and sister-in-law, Artie and Ruth Smith, brothers-and-sisters-in-law, Cecilia and Benjamin Taylor, Carolyn and Travis Curry, Dr. Leo C. McAfee Jr., and Patricia Owens, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.