Funeral service for Durwood “Pop” Smith, age 84 of Sulphur Springs, will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, December 30, 2023 at Murray-Orwosky Funeral Chapel with K.C. Smith officiating. Interment will follow at Restlawn Memorial Park with Ronnie Nix, Laverl Edwards, Dan Petty, Bryan Hawkins, Chris Penny, and Dustin Emerick serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are Glenn Hamlin, Bailey Davis, Don Petty, and Brennan Rhoades. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.
Durwood passed away Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at Christus Mother Frances Hospital in Sulphur Springs.
Durwood, or “Pop” as many people called him, was born May 20, 1939 at home in Como, TX to Lonnie and Mozelle (Bowen) Smith. Mozelle always said, “He was a beautiful baby.” Durwood had a strong work ethic instilled in him by Lonnie, who was an underground coal miner beginning at the young age of nine years. Durwood grew up milking cows before school and began working at a very young age, as well. He never was absent of fun! He met his true love, Clara, when his roller skate tangled in her petticoat, flipped himself over, and literally landed face to face. You could say he flipped head over heels! They married in 1958 and were blessed by two beautiful children, Joyce Marie and “Butch.”
“Pop” as he began being called when his first grand babies were born excelled in everything he pursued. He was a dozer operator by trade, but there was nothing he couldn’t master (i.e. home builder, store owner, any heavy equipment operator, heavy equipment mechanic) Pop was the neighborhood fun dad providing many fun and exciting activities, all the kids in the neighborhood would be lined up on the front porch waiting on Durwood to play. He enjoyed spending time playing with the kids. Throughout his life, he taught and encouraged many kids to hunt and fish. He loved the Lord, loved his wife, loved his children, loved his family, loved the outdoors, and boy-oh-boy the stories he could tell! He’ll remain in our memory forever. Rest peacefully until we all meet again darling husband, loved daddy, precious poppy Doodle…. our Pop.
Durwood is survived by his wife, Clara Belle Smith; son, Butch Smith and wife, Kari; grandchildren, Jennifer Hawkins and husband, Bryan, Jeana Penny and husband, Chris, Kaleb “K.C.” Smith and wife, Kassie; great-grandchildren, Hanna Davis and husband, Bailey, Bryce McQueen, Gracie Hawkins, Trinity Hawkins, Emmy Penny, Dax Penny, Tucker Hawkins, Stone Smith, and Fisher Smith.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his daughter, Joyce Nix.
