Obituary for Terry Dwane Smith
Terry Dwane Smith, age 74 of Quitman, passed away, surrounded by family, on Friday, October 28, 2022
at his home.
If you knew Terry, then you were blessed. He loved with all his heart, he was kind and generous to
everyone he met, and his smile could light up a room. He had a way of inspiring others and brought out
their best. He was the best example of God’s desire for us. He led his family to Christ and taught them all
to be true and faithful in all they do.
Terry was born on May 11, 1948 in Dallas to the late Carlton Melvin Smith and Dorothy Graham Smith.
He graduated from Duncanville High School in 1966 and received a full ride scholarship to play football at
East Texas State University. He played for two years before marrying his high school sweetheart and love
of his life, Sandra Kay Swenson, on February 2, 1968. Terry took a year off from football when their son
was born, but returned to play two more years. During that time their daughter was born. He finished out
his collegiate career as the team’s Tri-Captain his senior year. In 1971, Terry graduated with a Bachelor’s
Degree in Mathematics from ETSU.
Terry began his teaching and coaching career in Irving, Texas in 1971. Throughout the years he taught
mathematics and coached football, basketball, and track at Windthorst, Shamrock, Frankston, and finally
Emory-Rains. In 1995 he obtained his Masters of Education and Administration and became elementary
principal at Emory-Rains, high school principal, then Athletic Director before retiring in 2005 after 32
years in education.
Before retirement he fell in love with sailing and bought his first boat in 1996. As an elementary principal
at the time, he believed “everyone needed a recess” so he dubbed the boat S.S. Recess. Throughout the
years Terry and Sandy took many sailing trips together. He loved being on the water.
His love and passion for sports continued after retirement. He worked the State UIL Track and Field Meet
for 12 years. From 2005 - 2017 he helped run the discus competition. He was also his grandkids’ biggest
fan, never missing a ballgame or track meet throughout their high school and even collegiate years.
Terry loved life on the farm with Sandy, raising and caring for their herd. He was thankful for the
wonderful life he shared with Sandy, his children, his family, and his friends. He and Sandy were active
members of the First United Methodist Church of Mineola, and together they instilled strong Christian
values in their family.
Left to cherish Terry’s memory are his wife, Sandy Smith; son, Derek Smith and his wife, Shelle;
daughter, Deitra Bizzell and her husband Sean all of Golden community; sister, Gloria Phillips of Grand
Saline; and four grandchildren, Kaylee Bizzell, Zane Smith, Grace Bizzell, and Savana Smith.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 2, 2022 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Beaty Funeral
Home 5320 S. State Hwy. 37 Mineola, TX. Funeral Services will be held 11:00 am on Thursday,
November 3, 2022 at Beaty Funeral Home with Rev. Dan Danheim conducting. Interment will follow at
Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Mineola with Billy Savallo, Aaron Savallo, Ben Savallo, Tony Bogue, Josh
Hamman, and Jacoby Bogue serving as pallbearers. Honorary Pallbearer is Zane Smith.
To view the services online please use the link below
https://www.viewlogies.net/beaty-funeral-home/uZPnBXxFW?pin=877726
at his home.
If you knew Terry, then you were blessed. He loved with all his heart, he was kind and generous to
everyone he met, and his smile could light up a room. He had a way of inspiring others and brought out
their best. He was the best example of God’s desire for us. He led his family to Christ and taught them all
to be true and faithful in all they do.
Terry was born on May 11, 1948 in Dallas to the late Carlton Melvin Smith and Dorothy Graham Smith.
He graduated from Duncanville High School in 1966 and received a full ride scholarship to play football at
East Texas State University. He played for two years before marrying his high school sweetheart and love
of his life, Sandra Kay Swenson, on February 2, 1968. Terry took a year off from football when their son
was born, but returned to play two more years. During that time their daughter was born. He finished out
his collegiate career as the team’s Tri-Captain his senior year. In 1971, Terry graduated with a Bachelor’s
Degree in Mathematics from ETSU.
Terry began his teaching and coaching career in Irving, Texas in 1971. Throughout the years he taught
mathematics and coached football, basketball, and track at Windthorst, Shamrock, Frankston, and finally
Emory-Rains. In 1995 he obtained his Masters of Education and Administration and became elementary
principal at Emory-Rains, high school principal, then Athletic Director before retiring in 2005 after 32
years in education.
Before retirement he fell in love with sailing and bought his first boat in 1996. As an elementary principal
at the time, he believed “everyone needed a recess” so he dubbed the boat S.S. Recess. Throughout the
years Terry and Sandy took many sailing trips together. He loved being on the water.
His love and passion for sports continued after retirement. He worked the State UIL Track and Field Meet
for 12 years. From 2005 - 2017 he helped run the discus competition. He was also his grandkids’ biggest
fan, never missing a ballgame or track meet throughout their high school and even collegiate years.
Terry loved life on the farm with Sandy, raising and caring for their herd. He was thankful for the
wonderful life he shared with Sandy, his children, his family, and his friends. He and Sandy were active
members of the First United Methodist Church of Mineola, and together they instilled strong Christian
values in their family.
Left to cherish Terry’s memory are his wife, Sandy Smith; son, Derek Smith and his wife, Shelle;
daughter, Deitra Bizzell and her husband Sean all of Golden community; sister, Gloria Phillips of Grand
Saline; and four grandchildren, Kaylee Bizzell, Zane Smith, Grace Bizzell, and Savana Smith.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 2, 2022 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Beaty Funeral
Home 5320 S. State Hwy. 37 Mineola, TX. Funeral Services will be held 11:00 am on Thursday,
November 3, 2022 at Beaty Funeral Home with Rev. Dan Danheim conducting. Interment will follow at
Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Mineola with Billy Savallo, Aaron Savallo, Ben Savallo, Tony Bogue, Josh
Hamman, and Jacoby Bogue serving as pallbearers. Honorary Pallbearer is Zane Smith.
To view the services online please use the link below
https://www.viewlogies.net/beaty-funeral-home/uZPnBXxFW?pin=877726