Kenneth Earl Smith, of Ennis, passed away Friday, April 12, 2013 in the Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas. Kenneth was born in Wheeler, Texas, the son of James William and Gracie Alice (Risley) Smith August 9, 1934. He grew up in Canadian, Texas, attending schools there and graduated from High School there in 1952. He graduated from Texas Tech University in 1956 with a degree in Public Administration. March 9, 1957 he was married to Jane Roberts. They first lived in Waco, Texas then Eagle Lake, Texas before moving to Ennis in 1963. Kenneth spent his professional career in the world of finance, being employed by RPR Investments from 1974 – 76, then moved to Southwest Securities, where he was in Financial Management and Vice-President from 1979 to the time of his death. Being extremely active in civic and church affairs, Kenneth was a member of the First Methodist Church of Ennis, where he served on the local level as Lay Leader, Chairman of the Finance Committee, Chairman of the Administrative Board and Chiarman of the Pastor-Parish Relations Committee. He served the United Methodist Church at the District as a Lay Leader of The Waxahachie District, as Lay Leader of the Central Texas Conference(1986-1988) and was a Delegate to the General Conference (1984) and chaired the deligation in 1988. He was also a member of the Ennis Lions Club, the Ennis Economic Development Committee and from 1963-1968 he was the Ennis City Manager. Additionally, Kenneth was the Waco Assistant City Manager (1956), the Eagle Lake City Manager (1959) and the Weatherford City Manager from 1968-1972. Kenneth is survived by his wife, Jane, of Ennis; son, Jeff Smith and his wife, Leah, of Burleson, Texas; daughter, Karen Alewine and her husband, Kevin, of Tatum, Texas; sister, Jo Ann Meyer, of Childress, Texas; five grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. Family visitation was held on Sunday, April 14, 2013 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at J. E. Keever Mortuary, Inc., 408 N. Dallas Street, Ennis. Funeral services were held on Monday, April 15, 2013 at 11 a.m. at The First United Methodist Church, 300 North Sherman Street in Ennis, with Rev. Keith Murray and Dr. Jeff Smith officiating. Interment followed at 4 p.m. in the Cottonwood Cemetery near Marlin, Texas under the direction of the J. E. Keever Mortuary, Inc. www.jekeevermortuary.com
