Oliver Benton Nesmith, September 18, 1936 - October 18, 2019

Graveside service for Oliver Benton Nesmith, 83, of Hawkins will be 11:00 a.m., Sunday, October 27, 2019, in Hawkins City Cemetery with Dr. Donald Ward officiating. Interment will be in Hawkins City Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Croley Funeral Home in Hawkins. Mr. Nesmith passed away Friday, Oct 18, 2019, at Legend Oaks in Gladewater. Mr. Nesmith was born September 18, 1936 in Lacon, AL to Adlie E and Florence Merle Nesmith. He married Shirley Bjoraker Nesmith on November 26, 1967. He was a legal assistant for and a devout member of the Church of God. After four years in the Navy, he obtained a BS degree from the University of North Alabama and then taught high school in Marietta for two years before moving to Pasadena, CA for a BA degree from Ambassador College. After graduation, he spent the next 33 years in Pasadena, CA, working as a legal assistant for the Worldwide Church of God, until moving to Hawkins, TX where he has resided for the past 19 years.

He was a devoted husband, brother, father and son, with a conscientious, industrious heart. He is remembered fondly and will be dearly missed. He is survived by his sister, Martha Jo Byrd of Hartselle, AL, and his son, Scott Alexander Nesmith of Sunnyvale, CA. He is preceded by his wife, parents, and three siblings, John Ray Nesmith, Gerald Nesmith, and Margaret Powell.

Benton and Shirley's son, Scott Nesmith wrote the following announcement of his Dad's passing on his Facebook Page, to wit, I share here:

 "As some of you already know, my father passed away this past Friday. 

  After a long and increasingly difficult struggle with Parkinson's, the end came peacefully and in a way mercifully.

  He was a devoted family man and is remembered fondly.

  There will be a service this Sunday the 27th at 11am at the funeral home in Hawkins, TX, followed by a reception at the church he attended in Big Sandy,TX. 

  Scott Nesmith"

Obituary

Croley Funeral Home - Hawkins

Oliver was born on September 18, 1936 and passed away on Friday, October 18, 2019. After four years in the Navy, he obtained a BS degree from the University of North Alabama and then taught high school in Marietta for two years before moving to Pasadena, CA for a BA degree from Ambassador College. Interment will be in Hawkins City Cemetery. No formal visitation is scheduled.

The funeral yesterday was at the pavilion at the cemetery in Hawkins. It was totally full! Jim Stewart sang How Great Thou Art (Benton's request). Dr. Ward gave a good message and there was a flag folding ceremony at the end (he had served in the Navy). About 50 came to the church building for the reception.