Funeral Service August 27, 2008 at Golden Hill Baptist Church, Hallsville, Texas at 11:00 a.m.
Pastor Frederick Rusk & Rev. J. D. Palmer, Officiating. Burial Evergreen Memorial Park - Tyler, Texas.

Celia J. Smith Lewis was born December 11, 1944 in Hallsville, Texas to Pearline Smith
and Willie Smith. Mrs. Lewis passed away on Saturday, August 23, 2008 before the rising of the sun at Good Shepherd Medical Center, Longview, Texas.

Celia was an active member of the Golden Hill Baptist Church, Hallsville, Texas where she served in numerous offices over the years and most recently as teach of the Adult Women's Sunday School Class for which she served with great passion.

Celia attended public schools at Galilee in Hallsville, Texas and graduated in 1963. She then received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from Wiley College, Marshall, Texas and a Masters Degree from East Texas State University, Commerce, Texas. Later she pursued and obtained her Mid Management Certification from Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, Texas.

Celia had a passion for teaching; a career of which she dedicated 36 years of her life with the Hallsville, Marshall, and Longview Independent School Districts. She was also a life member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

Celia was preceded in death by her father, Willie Smith and brother, Bennie Walker. She is survived by her loving husband Wallie H. Lewis; mother, Pearline Smith; five sisters: Mary Inez Smith, Cora Daniels (Murey), Corene Smith, Alice Key (Bobby), and Pearlie Wiley (Rufus); eight brothers: Elbert Smith (Bernice), Lonnie Smith (Jean), James Smith (Madie), John W. Smith (Bettie), Henry Smith (Pauli), Vandell Smith (Evelyn), Franklin Smith (Vera), and Roger Smith (Carolnett); father-in-law, Joe B. Lewis; sisters-in-laws: Ida M. Robinson (Eugene) and Patsy J. Whitaker (M. T.); brothers-in-law: Harold S. Lewis, Paul L. Lewis (Cuvia), and Joe H. Lewis; and a host of very special nieces, nephews, other relatives, church members, and friends.