Dr. Dennie Lee Smith, 72, passed away Thursday, September 10, 2015 in College Staton, Texas.
He was raised in Clay, West Virginia by Isaac "Brooks" and Katie Elizabeth Vineyard Smith and was the oldest of three children.
He was a high school basketball star and achieved the ranking of Eagle Scout. He attended Marshall University and then continued to Auburn University earning an Ed.D. in Education.
He began his career at The University of Memphis as Professor/Department Chair where he met his wife of 34 years, Lana (Massey) Smith, also an Education Professor. Together they were prolific authors of numerous publications in the areas of educational development and research. Dennie transitioned to Texas A&M University as Professor/Department Head/Senior Research Associate in 2003.
Dennie enjoyed many hobbies including photography, windsurfing, sailing, snowmobiling, and woodworking. Dennie saw the beauty in everything and he never met anything old and rusty he didn't love and want to preserve. He was a true role model to the community as well as his family.
Left to honor Dennie and to share his legacy are his wife, Lana (Massey) Smith, three children, Chad Smith, Niki (Smith) Holman, and Shannon (McWilliams) McCarty; five grandchildren, Zachery Holman, Devon Holman, Riley McCarty, Tess McCarty, and Tabitha McCarty; his sister, Dr. Nina K. Smith of Harrisonburg, Va.; his brother, Dr. Randy B. Smith and wife Debby of Charleston WV, formerly of Ripley WV; and a host of friends, neighbors, and former students around the world.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, September 26 at the Newton Baptist Church, Newton, with the Rev. Ronald Fisher and Dr. Randy B. Smith officiating. Burial will be in the Smith Cemetery, Uler.
John H. Taylor Funeral Home, Spencer is in charge of local arrangements.
Online condolences may be expressed at taylorfuneralhomeinc.com
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