Joe Edwin Smith, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away leaving behind a lifetime of memories, laughter, music, and love.

Joe was born in Eldorado, Texas, on June 15, 1942, to James Edward Smith and Vonnie Pauline Woodward Smith. He left school after the eighth grade and, at just sixteen years old, began working in the oilfield. Joe was a hardworking man who knew the value of providing for his family and never shied away from hard work.

In 1969, Joe enlisted in the United States Army and proudly served his country in Germany until 1973. Following his military service, he returned to the oilfield, where he continued working until his retirement in 2014.

Joe was a man who loved people. He never met a stranger and could strike up a conversation with just about anyone. He enjoyed sitting down for a game of dominoes or gin rummy and especially cherished the time he spent visiting with Leroy and Mary Smith and their family. Joe loved going to hear the Smith Family Singers whenever he had the opportunity.

Music was also a special part of Joe's life. In his younger years, he played guitar and sang with a country band. His love of music stayed with him throughout his life.

Joe also had a wonderful sense of humor and a way of making ordinary moments memorable. One thing his family will always remember about him is his uncanny ability to miss a trash can. It didn't matter how close he was—or whether someone put a clothes basket right beside his chair—if Joe threw something toward it, there was a good chance it wasn't going in. Those little moments, and the laughter that came with them, are the memories his family will treasure.

Joe is survived by his loving wife, Freida Beatrice Read Smith; his daughters, Vonnie Sue Smith of Buda, Texas, JoAnn Smith of Conroe, Texas, and Jamie Dominy and husband, Jesse, of Pennington, Texas; his son, Rex Tomlin and wife, Ginger, of New Market, Tennessee; his son, Joe Smith, Jr. of Blytheville, Arkansas; and his daughter, Joyce Smith.

He is also survived by his granddaughter, Ashley Mosley and husband, Corey, of Batson, Texas; grandson, Mason Dominy of Pennington, Texas; great-grandsons, Justin Cook and wife, Kameryn, of Thicket, Texas, Gus Cook and wife, Jillian, of Liberty, Texas, and Jude and Olen Cook of Batson, Texas; and great-great-grandson, Denver Cook of Liberty, Texas.

Joe is also survived by his sisters, Helen Wall and husband, Eddie, of Ozona, Texas, Dorothy Taylor of Ozona, Texas, Brenda Brown of Ozona, Texas, and Bonnie Smith of Galveston, Texas, as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren whose whereabouts are unknown.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Raymond Mack Smith, Allen Lee Smith, and Benjamin Smith; and his sister, Linda Smith.

Joe will be remembered not only for the years he worked, the places he traveled, or the lives he touched, but for the person he was—a hardworking man with a big heart, a love for music and fellowship, a good game of dominoes or gin rummy, and a natural ability to make friends wherever he went.

His family will miss his stories, his conversations, his laughter, his music, and even those legendary missed trash cans. Most of all, they will miss simply having Joe there.

The family invites friends and loved ones to join them for fellowship on Saturday, September 5, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m., with memorial services beginning at 11:30 a.m. at Pennington Baptist Church in Pennington, Texas.

Joe's life was filled with hard work, music, friendship, family, and love. The memories he leaves behind will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.