James Smith

Services are scheduled at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, October 7, at First Baptist Church for James Austin Smith, of Artesia, New Mexico. Mr. Smith, 81, died Saturday, October 4, 2003 at Artesia Good Samaritan Center. Rev. Rick Sullivan will officiate at the services. Burial will follow at Twin Oaks Memorial Park with Military Graveside Honors. Pallbearers will be Tracy Clanton, Brian Smith, Travis Clanton, Jody Jackson, Ross Smith, and J.R. Jackson. Honorary pallbearers will be all friends at the Artesia Senior Center and the staff at Artesia Good Samaritan Center. Mr. Smith was born June 8, 1922 in Henryetta, Oklahoma; the son of Walter Lee Smith and Melvina Bailey Smith. He moved from there to Dexter, N.M. in 1941. On April 11, 1942 he was married to Juanita Wheeler in Hagerman, N.M. They came to Artesia in 1957. His wife preceded him in death October 4, 1994. He was also preceded in death by his parents; a son Austin L. Smith; a daughter Betty Ann Darr; and by granddaughters Ebony L. Smith and Elizabeth E. Smith. He served in the Medical Corps in the United States Army during World War II. Mr. Smith was a self-employed carpenter; was formerly a butcher at H J Food Basket and had been a custodian at the Artesia Post Office. He was active at the Artesia Senior Center and senior centers in surrounding communities. Survivors include his sons Harvey Smith and wife Meann of Artesia and Everett Smith and wife Patricia of Artesia; a daughter Olevia Clanton and husband Lyndell of Rankin, Texas; brothers Lindell Smith of Seminole, Okla., G. C. Smith of Hamstead, Maryland, Weldon Smith of Seminole, Okla. and Eugene Smith of Seminole, Okla.; sisters Helen Tawney of Hamstead, Hazel Williams of Henryetta, and Mildred Woods of Fort Sumner, N.M.; 14 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to the Artesia Senior Center or the Artesia Good Samaritan Center.