Richard Derwin Smith

Richard Derwin Smith, 87, of Ennis, Texas, passed away, Sunday, August 23, 2015 at his home. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, August 29, 2015 at Southmont Baptist Church, 2801 Pennsylvania Dr. Denton, Texas. Burial will follow at Spires Cemetery south of Damascus, Ark, at 2 pm on the August 31. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Memorials may be made to the Texas Southern Gospel School of Music, c/o Paul Hollingsworth, 1515 Hackberry, Clifton, Texas 76634. Richard was born June 5, 1928 in Martinville, Ark., to Elias "Frank" and Mattie Jewel (Ward) Smith. Richard performed with his family, the Smith Family Quartet. He was a member of Uncle Mac's radio quartet, The Stamps Melody Boys, The Stamps Dixie Quartet, and Herschel Foshee and His Stamps-Baxter Quartet. Richard moved into teaching music in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and Virginia. His most notable accomplishments were at Pine Bluff High School and South Side Baptist Church in Pine Bluff, Ark. 1960-77. He ended his teaching career with the Denton Public School System in Denton, Texas. Richard is survived by his wife of 63 years, Sylvia; his son Richard "Rick" Derwin Smith II of Dallas, Texas; his daughter, Charlotte Smith-Moore of Tulsa, Okla., her husband, Paul and their sons, Joshua and Justin; his daughter, Melinda Smith-Crisp and husband Buster "Buddy"; his daughter, Sandra Smith-Boughton and children Michael and Bailey; his sister, Dena Faye Smith-Ward and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Dana Ree Smith-Harrell. On line condolences may be made at www.mulkeymasondenton.com.