Benjamin Clinton Smith, of Greenville, passed away Wednesday, May 3, 2017. He was born in Sabine County, Texas on August 30, 1926, the son of Benjamin E. and Ima Arthur Smith. Ben married Laura Jean Gill on June 3, 1950 in Houston, Texas. Ben proudly served his country during World War II and the Korean Conflict. He was a Baptist minister for over 50 years and served as pastor at Geneva Baptist Church, Geneva, Texas; North Baptist Church (now The Church at River Oaks), Greenville; Oak Crest Baptist Church , Dallas; First Baptist Church, Campbell and Faith Baptist Church, Quinlan. He also served as interim pastor for several churches after he retired from full-time ministry. He and Laura enjoyed traveling, especially in their RV to Mountain View, Arkansas. Ben was a member of Highland Terrace Baptist Church.
Ben graduated from Hemphill High School, East Texas Baptist College (now University), and was in the first graduation class from Criswell Bible Institute of Dallas. His student pastorates were First Baptist Church of Monkstown, Texas; Aimwell Baptist Church, Zwolle, Louisiana; as well as Riverside Chapel, a mission of First Baptist Church, Shreveport.
Ben was also privilege to participate in mission work in El Indio, Texas; Louisiana mission ministry; New Mexico; California, and both Cuiaba and Rondonopolis, Brazil.
Ben became pastor of the Shady Grove Campground in Mountain View, Arkansas, whenever he and Laura were in attendance, from 2000-2011. Soon after, health issues caused Ben to be placed in The Legend Health Care in Greenville.
Ben is survived by his wife, Laura, of almost 67 years and their four children: Clinta Price and husband Tim; Dwain Smith and wife Denise; Jo Roddy and husband Jim; and Lewis Smith and wife Patty. He is also survived by ten grandchildren Ben Price and wife Carrie; Jeff Price and wife Maria; Jenny Elmi and husband Chris; Leslie Taylor and husband Jeremy; Stacy McCarthy and husband Russell; Thomas, Katharine and Elizabeth Smith; and Rachel and Rebecca Smith; seven great grandchildren; brother-in-law, Robert Rainoshek; nephews, Richard Rainoshek and Kenneth Rainoshek; and niece, Pam Compton, husband, Barry and daughter, Laurie.
He was predeceased by his parents and half-brother, Ramsey Smith and nephew, Glen Smith.
The family would like to thank the staff of The Legend for their care for Ben over the past few years.
Funeral Services will be held 2 P.M., Saturday, May 6, 2017 at Coker Mathews Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Royce Litchfield and Rev. Bob Layman officiating. Interment will follow the service at Memoryland Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 1:00 P.M. until service time.