Winfred Ray "Smitty" Smith

Winfred Ray "Smitty" Smith, a beloved member of the Beaumont community, passed away April 21st, 2025, at the age of 101. Born on December 10th, 1923 in DeQuincy, Louisiana, Winfred lived a full life marked by dedication to his family and loyalty to his friends.

Winfred’s childhood and youth was spent in DeQuincy, the youngest of a large family. He shared many tales of adventures with his parents and siblings and has written a memoir of their life on the farm titled “How One Family Survived the Great Depression and Beyond”, not yet published. A World War II Navy veteran, his commitment to our country was a proud continuation of his blessed life’s journey.

Winfred met Yvonne Dove Dixon on weekend leave while in the service and it was love at first sight. They were married on January 1st, 1945. At the end of his military service, he and Yvonne moved to Beaumont to be closer to his parents and large family. He worked for a short time at the Beaumont Shipyard and then trained as an electrician with a long successful career at the Pure Oil/Union 76 refinery in Port Neches. There he made many friendships that lasted a lifetime. He was also a lifelong member of the IBEW local # 479.

Winfred had a love of fishing and gardening and after retirement was able to enjoy more time doing both. He was a skilled carpenter and electrician and through the years he, along with his brothers, not only built his home of over seventy years but also contributed to many other construction projects for family and friends. He played guitar and harmonica and spent many evenings playing tunes with his buddies with an audience of wives and children. At Christmas he would decorate with an extensive outdoor light display and a Nativity that was enjoyed by all. He was also a diehard Dallas Cowboys fan and loved watching Houston Astros baseball.

Winfred is preceded in death by his parents John Wesley and Theresa Smith, 11 brothers and sisters, and his beloved wife of seventy-eight years Yvonne Smith.

He leaves behind a loving family including his daughter Paula Baxter and her husband Jim, his son Kenneth Smith and his wife Andi, his cherished grandchildren Melissa Gutierrez and her husband Victor, Paige Talbert, Logan Talbert and his wife Caitlin, Jimmy Baxter and his wife Nichole, Kevin Garrett and his wife Holly, Chance Whitmer and his wife Kayla, Breanna Fischer and her husband Brodie, his great-grandchildren Kaylee Gutierrez, Cosette Garrett, Guinevere Garrett, Easton Fischer, and Isla James Baxter who is expected in June. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Winfred will be remembered for the love and joy he brought into the lives of everyone around him. His legacy, filled with cherished memories and enduring love will live on in the hearts of his family and all who were fortunate to know him.

A gathering of Mr. Smith’s family and friends will be held on Friday April 25th from 5pm-7pm and funeral service on April 26th at 2pm, both at Claybar Kelly-Watkins Funeral Home in Beaumont. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Beaumont.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Southeast Texas Veterans Service Group, P.O. Box 12352 Beaumont, TX 77726.

The family would like to give special thanks to Linda McGraw and Kellie McGraw for the excellent care and abounding love they gave, and to the wonderful team at Compassion Hospice for their support, guidance and exceptional care.