Obituary of Jim Bob Smith

Services for James R. “Jim Bob” Smith, 86, of Lubbock, TX, will be held at 10:00 am Wednesday, May 27, 2020, at Southcrest Baptist Church in Lubbock with Rev. David Wilson officiating. Burial will follow in the Abernathy Cemetery under the direction of Abell Funeral Home & Flower Shop of Abernathy, TX. Jim Bob went home to his Heavenly Father on May 23, 2020. He was born to Lee Roy and Bernice Stevens Smith in Fort Worth, TX, on September 3, 1933. His early life was spent in Euless, TX. He moved to Abernathy in 1948 and graduated from Abernathy High School. He attended Texas Tech University for two years before being drafted into the Army, where he served in Korea and Japan as a helicopter crew chief in the closing days of the Korean War. Upon returning to Abernathy after his military service, Jim Bob married Roy Fay "Roifae" Ledford in June 1957 and went into the family grocery business, Smith - Stevens Grocery, with his father and grandfather. Jim Bob soon bought Mr. Stevens’ half of the business upon his retirement. Jim Bob moved the store location to a new building that greatly enlarged the available space to serve the growing Abernathy community in 1962, renaming the store Smith’s Thriftway at that time. He further enlarged the business on two subsequent occasions. He was in the grocery business in Abernathy for 25 years. Jim Bob also served on the Board of Directors for Affiliated Foods (Amarillo) regional food distribution warehouse for several terms. Jim Bob was active in the Abernathy community. He served on the Abernathy City Council, was a member of the local Lions Club and was Fire Chief for the Abernathy Volunteer Fire Department for many years. Jim Bob sold the grocery business in 1981 and soon afterward became a real estate agent and later earned a Real Estate Brokerage license. He was actively involved in real estate for over 25 years in Lubbock and surrounding communities. Upon his retirement, Jim Bob continued assisting in real estate by acting as a courier and trainer for several title companies in Lubbock on a part-time basis. Many who knew Jim Bob knew of his love for the Lord and his unfailing attention to give out salvation business cards to every person he met over the years, distributing many thousands of cards up until his death. God only knows the effect this small gesture had for encouragement or salvation of others. Jim Bob was a long-time member of Southcrest Baptist Church in Lubbock, where he served as a greeter and usher. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Roifae (Roy Fay) Ledford Smith; son Kevin Smith and wife Sandee of Midlothian, TX; son Robby Smith and wife Traci of Lubbock; grandson Michael Smith and wife Jessica of Midlothian; grandson Jason Smith of Brownwood, TX; sister Ann Pope and husband Leon of Lubbock; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter Jana Smith; and his sister Mary Jo Snodgrass and husband Y.F. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Southcrest Baptist Church, 3801 S. Loop 289, Lubbock,, TX 79423 or to Meals on Wheels, 2304 34th Street, Lubbock, TX 79411