KURTIS SMITH
Kurtis Ray Smith went to be with the Lord on April 28, 2023, at the age of 58. In celebration of his life, there will be two services. The first memorial service will be held May 11, 2023, at 1:00 p.m., at the Albany Methodist Church in Albany, Texas. The second service will be held at WoodsEdge Community Church where he attended when he lived in Houston, on May 26, 2023, at 10:00 a.m.
Kurtis was born in Houston on Oct. 12, 1964. He grew up in N.W. Houston in a family of nine. He attended school at Inwood Elementary School and Hoffman Middle School, and graduated from Eisenhower High School in 1983. He went on to study horticulture at Texas A&M University.
He moved to Albany in 2008 and married Tracy Sullivan on Jan. 2, 2015. Kurtis was a member of the Albany Methodist Church where he led Bible studies and often taught Sunday School. He also attended Rise Church in Abilene.
His love for plants did not go unnoticed. He had a gift for growing the most fruitful gardens and creating beautiful landscapes for himself and others.
Kurtis loved to watch football, baseball, and even had a knack in the kitchen for whipping up gourmet meals. Kurtis was also good with his hands – very crafty, an “I can fix it” man, a gift inherited from his father and grandfather.
He was a big outdoorsman, an avid hunter, and if he could fish every day, all day, he would. Kurtis always enjoyed and respected nature’s gifts God provided to us. Which leads to his greatest love…God! Kurtis was a Godly man. He taught Sunday school, loved to pray with people, even strangers, and would spread God’s message every chance he could. He knew who his Savior was, and lived his life serving God and others.
Kurtis, K-Paw to his grandchildren, was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother-in-law, and friend. Kurtis was preceded in death by his father Archie E. Smith; his mother Barbara Smith; and brothers Dane Smith and Robin Smith.
He is survived by his wife Tracy Sullivan Smith and stepson Brayden Sullivan; his daughter Audrey Smith Vance and husband James and their three children Bentley, Haven, and Jackson; his son Gavin Smith and wife Luliana, their daughter Avery and their expected child Ryan; his four surviving siblings Troy Smith, Kerry Smith, Candi Smith Burling, Bart Smith, and their families.
Kurtis was blessed with family and loved them all dearly. PD
