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Submitted: 6/3/20 • Approved: 6/13/20 • Last Updated: 6/16/20 • R321344-G0-S3
September 12, 1880, Milam County, Texas - May 27, 1974, Cameron, Milam County, Texas
SERVICE HELD HERE FOR OXSHEER SMITH
Oxsheer Meek Smith, 93, Cameron businessman, philanthropist, and civic leader, died Monday in a local hospital. Funeral service was held at 4 p. m. Tuesday at the First Methodist Church of Cameron, Rev. Ben Pierce and Rev. Perry Richardson officiating with burial in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Pallbearers were officers of the Citizens National Bank, of which Mr. Smith was chairman of the board of directors.
He was the son of pioneer, Milam County settlers, Hilliard Fort Smith and Viola Oxsheer Smith and was born Sept. 12, 1889 in Milam County, on his father's farm, ten miles east of Cameron.
Mr. Smith was educated in Cameron schools, the University of Texas and Eastman National Business College of Poughkeepsie, N. Y. Upon graduation in 1902, he began his banking career in the Citizens National Bank founded two years before.
He served as president of the bank for 53 years. He retired from that position in 1968 to become chairman of the board when his nephew, the late Hilliard S. Thomas, became president.
Mr. Smith was married to Marion Dingley Swift on June 27, 1914, who preced him in death in 1948.
Mr. Smith's financial abilities have been recognized throughout the state and he was active as a philanthropist whose influence for the benefit of children in Texas has been for more than half a century.
He was active in civic affairs, not only in the community, but the state as well. He was a member of First United Methodist Church, a Sunday School teacher for many years, director of the Methodist Home Foundation and active supporter of the Methodist Home itself, director and chairman of the Finance Committee of the Brazos River Authority since 1943. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, 32 degree Scottish Rite, shriner, Jester, Knights of Pythias, a charter monarch member of the Cameron Lions Club, served on the Cameron Public Library board, was a city councilman for eight years, a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity and was instrumental in founding and maintaining the Cameron Country Club.
In 1968 he gave his home located at 902 Jackson to the Cameron Independent School District. The residence consists of about an acre and a half of landscaped grounds and is located only 1,000 feet from the present school property.
For many years he gave Halloween parties for Cameron children at his home. He would greet them at the door, handling out candy, then they would proceed through his home where various witches and goblins would greet them.
Mr. Smith is survived by one sister, Mrs. Vivian McIntrye of Alpine, a nephew, Goodhue W. Smith of Waco, president of Citizens National Bank; a niece, Mrs. Jeanette Morrow of Alpine; and several great nieces and great nephews.
The Cameron Herald(Cameron, Texas), 30 May 1974, Thu, Page 1
Family Members
Parents
Hilliard Fort Smith
1853–1940
Viola Malinda Oxsheer Smith
1853–1942
Spouse
Marion D Swift Smith
1888–1948
Siblings
Infant Son Smith
1876–1876
Viola Aetna Smith
1877–1969
Elizabeth Smith
1883–1901
Lilla Smith Thomas
1885–1974
Hilliard Fort Smith
1888–1959
Vivian Smith McIntyre
1890–1979
Goodhue Wilson Smith
1893–1922
Photo courtesy of: Holly Bonorden Jentsch
Contributed on 6/3/20 by lynst.peters62
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Record #: 321344