M. B. Smith

SERVICES: 2:00 PM Wednesday, June 18, 2003, at the First Baptist Church, with Dr. Randy White, pastor, officiating.<br><br>BURIAL: Memory Gardens Cemetery under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors.<br><br>BIOGRAPHY: Marion Burleson Smith was born to Nelson and Ora Sivells Smith on December 28, 1914, in Richland Springs, Texas. He attended Richland Springs schools and graduated from Howard Payne College in 1936. He married Laura Bentley on Nov. 27, 1936 in Richland Springs. Bro. Smith taught school and coached in several central Texas schools before entering the gospel ministry in 1942. Following pastorates in Agua Dulce, Calallen and Marble Falls, Bro. Smith moved his family to the Texas Panhandle where he pastored First Baptist Church of Wheeler, Highland Baptist Church of Pampa, Alanreed Baptist Church, and College Baptist Church of Big Spring. For many years, Bro. Smith was interim pastor for many Baptist churches and supplied in Baptist Churches in the Pampa area, as well as teaching science at Pampa High School and Clarendon College Pampa Center. According to Bro. Smith's records, he performed 1191 funerals, 858 weddings, and 421 baptisms - most of them during his years in Pampa. <br><br><br>Bro. Smith was preceded in death by his parents, ten siblings, which included his identical twin brother Baron Haynes Smith of Oklahoma City, and Gerald Smith of Corpus Christi; a son-in-law Harold Loyd Lee; and a granddaughter Joanie Lee Brogdon.<br><br>SURVIVORS: Wife: Mrs. Laura B. Smith of the home. 2 Daughters: Mrs. Sylvia Shuler and husband Leo of Wheeler, and Mrs. Marilyn Whitaker and husband Rex of Waco. 3 Sons: Philip Smith and wife Jane of Sulphur Springs, David Smith of Austin, and Herbert Smith and wife Lynn of Pampa. Grandchildren are: Mrs. Lucretia Davis and Mike Lee of Wheeler, Mrs. Melanie Gates of Weatherford, Oklahoma, Brent Lee of Killeen, Mrs. Lori Barnes of Stephenville, Mrs. Lisa Osborne of Round Rock, Mark Whitaker of Temple, Miss Kristi Whitaker of Rockwall, Mrs. Jennnifer Scogin of Rogers, Arkansas, Mrs. Emily Stephen of McKinney, Nathan Smith of Dallas, Mrs. Courtney Pederson of Fritch, Jonathan Smith of Pampa, and Jared Smith of Pampa and Abilene. Other survivors include 28 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, and a host of nephews and nieces which include the sons of his twin brother, Barry Smith of Flower Mound and Dr. Nelson Smith of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. <br><br>MEMORIALS: Contributions may be given to the missions ministry and the music ministry of the First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 621, Pampa, Texas 79066-0621.<br>