Clayton Smith

Clayton Smith, 87, went to be with the Lord on July 2, 2024. He was born January 3, 1937, to Elmer and Bessie Smith on the Smith Farm at Grape Creek in Navarro County, TX. He was a 1954 graduate of Mildred High School. On December 23, 1954, he married Dorothy Jamison of Corsicana. After graduation, Clayton proudly served his country and was a veteran of the United States Air Force where he served four years. He began his training in the Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol Academy on December 2, 1958. This was only the start of a career that defined who he was as a Law Enforcement Officer but more importantly, who he was as a servant of God first, and then of the people of his beloved State of Texas. He would go on to give Texas and the Department of Public Safety 41 years of his life. During his Highway Patrol years Smith worked many significant cases. In 1962, he worked the train derailment in Chandler, Texas which resulted in evacuating the entire city. On May 3, 1968 he was instrumental in the investigation regarding the Braniff Airline crash in Dawson, Texas. The plane involved 5 crew members and 80 passengers. There were no survivors. However, his most life changing Highway Patrol event was on October 16, 1975, on a random traffic stop that resulted in a gun battle that almost took his life. Gunfire was exchanged between Smith and the motorist who later was known to have committed several robberies over the past days. After the shooting was over, Smith had an empty service revolver and the assailant still had three hollow point bullets remaining with an extra clip in his pocket. Anyone else might think that was enough, but God was not finished with Clayton Smith. In 1979 Clayton was commissioned into the highly prestigious Texas Rangers. He investigated many high profile cases during his 14 years as a Ranger. He investigated serial killers and helped law enforcement agencies all over the US solve murder cases. He worked the 51-day standoff Waco siege in 1993, of the Branch Dividian Compound at Mt. Carmel. He also investigated the Luby’s Massacre in Killeen, Texas on October 16, 1991. During those years as a Ranger, Smith was certified in hypnosis. This allowed him the ability to help victims of crimes give details about their assailant that might otherwise go unnoticed and resulted in many solved cases. These cases are just examples of the many hours of investigative work Smith participated in during his legendary career as a Texas Ranger. In 2010 he received the distinguished DPS Purple Heart for bravery. However, the part of his life that he willingly shared about the most was his love for Jesus and his family. He loved people from all walks of life and he loved sharing the Gospel with everyone he met. His whole purpose for going into Law Enforcement was so that he could serve others. In 1976 he was ordained a Minister. From that day forward, God used him to preach in countless pulpits in Texas. Locally, he served as interim and guest pastors for First Baptist Church in Streetman, First Baptist Church of Powell and Emmanuel Baptist Church in Corsicana. Most recently, Clayton Smith helped at the Good News Café at FBC Corsicana. He brought a devotional there every Monday where he not only wanted people to be fed physically but had a burning desire to see them fed spiritually. He was the definition of a good and faithful servant to the very end of his earthly life. He is survived by his wife of almost 70 years, Dorothy Jamison Smith; daughter and son-in-law, Cindy and Mike McCary of Corsicana; daughter and son-in-law, Sheri and Paul Warner of Thorndale; grandchildren, Emily and Brad Gentry, Josh and Andie Warner, Drew and Leslie McCary, Tyler and Cari Warner, Jared and Olivia Smith, Braden Smith, and Mackenzie Smith; great grandchildren, Jack, Annabelle, Luke, Henry, Hank and two more on the way. Two nephews, Neal Parks and David Smith. He is preceded in death by his son Timothy Clayton Smith, Mother and Father, Elmer and Bessie Smith, a brother Afton Smith and his sister Hazel Smith Parks. Visitation will be Monday, July 8, 2024, from 6:00-8:00 pm at First Baptist Church. Funeral Service will be Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at 10:00 am at First Baptist Church with Dr. Danny Reeves officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Good News Cafe 510 W. Collin St. Corsicana, Texas 75110

Clayton Smith

January 3, 1937 - July 2, 2024