Jimmie Earl Smith

Jimmie Earl Smith, born in Waco, Texas on January 31, 1948, and left this world on July 27, 2025. Knowing Jimmie, he’s probably still trying to talk his way past the Pearly Gates with a story, an inappropriate joke, and definitely a poem or two.

Jimmie was an Army veteran, a truck driver by trade and a poet at heart, Jimmie spent years behind the wheel and many more behind a pen. He loved writing, especially poetry, and was very proud when his work was published in newspapers and magazines. He was married to Winnie May Hoskins who passed in 2023. He missed her dearly.

Jimmie was a good person, he was kind, generous, and always ready to lend a hand, tell a joke, or offer life advice (whether you wanted it or not). He was the proud father of Chevis Grieves (Craig), and a caring father figure to Sandra, Kevin, and Karen—stepchildren by name only, because he loved and claimed them as his own. He also played an active role in caring for his grandchildren, usually spoiling them rotten! He also had several great-grandchildren which he loved.

He had four brothers: Morris, Rodger, Elmer, and Alfred, and one sister, Wanda. Through his siblings he had numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his by his parents Vernon and Willie Mae Smith and two of his brothers: Morris and Rodger, and we imagine there’s a Smith reunion happening right now somewhere beyond the clouds, with Rodger stirring the pot and Jimmie adding his two cents.

Jimmie had a lot of jobs over the years, but his favorite one was being someone people could count on. He had many friends and never met a stranger, he had stories for every occasion, most of which took a long, winding road to the punch line, and you were never quite sure if he was joking until he got to the end and even then you would question if the story was true or just a joke.

He will be missed by his family and friends.

Gone

By: Jimmie E. Smith

The nice old man there in the mirror

Wasn’t home today

Although he tried to present himself

In a completely different way

But, he stood out like a very sore thumb

And to no one he gave a smile

Cause the frown on his face was etched in stone

Yet was seen for a country mile

But, who’s to know what brought the change

Even he don’t rightly know

Cause memories haunt him from day’s gone bye

And he can never let them go

So don’t prejudge him with some words

Only a Doctor can understand,

Just open a door and let him in

And quietly extend your hand!

23 February 2020