James “Bird” Smith, 63, of Coleman, died December 9, 2019 at Hendrick Hospice Care in Abilene. There will be a memorial service 3:00 p.m. Friday, December 20, 2019 at Stevens Funeral Home Chapel, 400 West Pecan Street, Coleman, with Mr. Jimmy Driskill officiating. Services are under the direction of Stevens Funeral Home.
He was born James Marvin Smith on June 28, 1956 in Bryan, Texas to James Franklin “Jim” Smith and Fannie Armendy Bailey Smith. He grew up in Winters and graduated from Winters High School. He married Jeannie Driskill in 1988 in Winters. James worked for Winters Welding Works, working as a welder in the oil field for 17 years before retiring.
James enjoyed pool tournaments, hunting and fishing and metal detecting. James told everybody about his adventures, and the more he told the tale, the bigger it got. He was a member of North Coleman Baptist Church.
Survivors include a daughter, Karri Mitchell and husband, Raymond, of Coleman; son, Jerry Wright; nephew, Bill Hollis and wife, Pat, of Winters; niece Tammy Hagle of Winters; eight grandchildren, Scott Curry and wife, Krystal, Jennifer Wright and husband, Austin, Anthony Curry, Taydon Benson, Jason Curry, Sean Amos, Bryan Wright, Clarissa Wright; five great granddaughters; five great nieces and great nephews, Justin Hollis, Toni Hagle, Teri Hagle, Ashley Hollis, David Hollis and numerous other family members and a host of friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Evelyn Darlene Hollis and by his long-time companion, Jeannie.
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