James Smith

Services for James Edward Smith, 30, of Hale Center, TX, were held 10:00 am Monday, February 21, 2011, in the First Baptist Church, Hale Center, with Kyle Brock and Robert Malcolm officiating. Military graveside services followed in the Hale Center Cemetery under the direction of Abell Funeral Home and Flower Shop of Hale Center, TX. Mr. Smith died Thursday, February 17, 2011, in Lubbock, TX. He was born on March 12, 1980 at Chanute Air Force Base in Illinois. He served in the United States Air Force from 1998 - 2002 and re-enlisted serving in Afghanistan until 2005 where he was decorated with the following medals, Air Force training, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award, and Outstanding Unit Award and a Purple Heart. He then moved to Lubbock from Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina in 2006. He married Crystal French on April 25, 2009 in Plainview, TX and was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Plainview. He was employed by Cactus Feeders at Hale Center Feed Yards as an assistant feed delivery manager. He is survived by his wife Crystal Smith of Hale Center, TX and his children, Ky Smith, Karlee Thomas, Kora Thomas, Kambree Smith of Hale Center, TX and Devon Smith, Laken Rawls and Kaelynn Smith of Spavinaw, OK.; 4 sisters, Vicki Dewey, Toni Tatman, Patti Tatman all of Rantoul, Illinois, Becky Hill of Paxton, Illinois; 2 brothers, Tom Smith of Brownwood, TX and Allan Smith of Rantoul, Illinois He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Edward and Phyllis Elizabeth Smith. The family suggests memorial contributions be sent to your favorite youth sports program. Abell Funeral Home