Starkey Smith

Starkey Smith of De Kalb, Texas passed away Wednesday, April 25, 2018 at a Hot Springs, Arkansas hospital. He was 70. Starkey was born October 21, 1947 in Texarkana, Arkansas to J. W. Smith, Jr. and Bobbie Ann Braswell Smith. He was the Captain of the 1965 De Kalb High School Football team. During his Senior year, he was awarded a scholarship to Tulane University where he played football until he suffered a knee injury. Starkey graduated from East Texas State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration. He began working in the family grocery store at an early age and continued until he was 52 years old. During that time, he and his family grew the small store to 5 Save Marts, 2 S-Marts, 2 Save Mart Pharmacies and a Silver Screen Video Store. He was also a member of the Board of Directors for Affiliated Foods in Little Rock, Arkansas. In 1991, Starkey became involved in the Cutting Horse industry. He had numerous Top 10 horses in various classes including the 1993 Open World Champion Mare. Starkey enjoyed fishing and hunting and was a member of First Baptist Church in De Kalb, Texas where he served as a Youth Sunday School teacher. He was preceded in death by his parents; and one nephew, John Beck Smith. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Shelva Smith of De Kalb, Texas; and one son and daughter-in-law Shane and Nancy Smith of Broken Bow, Oklahoma. He was known as "Pops" to his beloved grandson, "Coop" Cooper Smith. He is also survived by one aunt, Virginia Braswell Wray of De Kalb, Texas; one brother, Stacy Smith of Quinlan, Texas; and numerous other family members and friends. Services will be 2:00 PM Saturday, April 28, 2018 at First Baptist Church in De Kalb, Texas with John McCullough, Jason McCullough and Bro. James Sparks officiating. Interment will follow at Woodmen Cemetery in De Kalb, Texas. Visitation will be held 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Friday, April 27, 2018 at Bates Family Funeral Home in De Kalb, Texas. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to First Baptist Church Building Fund, 204 W. Fulton, De Kalb, TX 75559. Online registration at www.batesfamilyfuneralhome.com.