Earline Smith

Earline "Ghee Girl" Root Smith, 79, of Fannett passed away Monday, July 5, 2010 at the Medical Center of Southeast Texas in Port Arthur. Earline was born July 22, 1930 in Port Arthur, Texas to George Allen Root and Lucille Borne Root. She was a lifelong resident of Fannett and member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Fannett. Before her retirement she was formerly employed by Retail Merchants Association and owned Smith's Drive-in-Grocery in Fannett. She had also served with the Auxiliary at Christus Hospital St. Mary and resided at Cypress Glen Nursing Home where she made many dear friends. Survivors include her daughter, Sherry Elrod and husband, Danny of Fannett; sister, Faye Nicholas of Port Arthur; three grandchildren, Jennifer Witherspoon and husband, Kyle of Anahuac, Stacy LeNormand and husband, Thad of Hamshire, Danny Elrod and wife, Jean of Hamshire; and six great-grandchildren who were the love of her life, Shae, Jace and Clay Witherspoon, Saige LeNormand, Lane and Josie Elrod;two sisters-in-law, Jewel Root of Nederland and Lois Nelson of Splendora. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m., Friday, July 9, 2010 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Port Arthur with Reverend Stephen McCrate officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Winnie under the direction of Levingston Funeral Home in Groves. A visitation for family and friends will be held on Thursday evening from 5:00p.m.-8:00p.m., with a Rosary Service at 6:00p.m.at the funeral home.