In Loving Memory Of Joe Oliver 'Toby' Smith
Jan. 30, 1933 ~ March 28, 2025
Joe Oliver "Toby" Smith, 92, of Littlefield, Texas, passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 28, 2025. Born on January 30, 1933, to V.L. and Alice Moore Smith in O'Donnell, Texas, Toby lived a rich and fulfilling life marked by love, service, and passion.
In his youth, Toby resided in Wichita Falls and Olton, Texas, before settling in Sudan, Texas, where he excelled on the football field, earning a spot on the All-State Football Team. It was at a dance in Pep, Texas, that he met the love of his life, Adriene Annie Jungman. After three years of courtship, they married on April 22, 1953. Later that year, Toby answered the call of duty, receiving a letter from Uncle Sam and reporting to the U.S. Army football team and working as a highspeed radio operator. Toby served honorably from December 1953 to November 1955.
Following his discharge, Toby and Adriene settled in Olton, Texas. He began a career with GTE as a lineman, which took him to Carlsbad, New Mexico, before transferring to Littlefield in 1957. In 1965, Toby partnered with his brother, Vernon to establish a construction company, which he owned and operated until his retirement in 1995. He was blessed to fall in love again when he met Mary Jo in 2007.
Toby was a man of many passions. He delighted in showing and restoring old cars, crafting works of art through woodworking, and twirling across the dance floor. Above all, he cherished fishing at the family cabin in Breckenridge, Texas, where he made countless memories with loved ones.
Toby is survived by his devoted wife, Mary Jo; his four children, Sandi and John Ellis of Lubbock, Texas, Michael Ann Whitehead and fiancé, Blevin Robinson of Alexander City, Alabama, Phyllis and Reay Culp of Rockford, Alabama, and Vincent and Shanna Smith of Littlefield, Texas; and his step children, Penny and Keith Kelton of Littlefield, Texas, and Pixie and Allen Grisham of Post, Texas.
He leaves behind a legacy of ten grandchildren, twenty-nine great-grandchildren, and seven great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of over 50 years, Adriene Annie Smith, in 2006; as well as his parents; a nephew, Jerry Smith; his niece, Carolyn Flanagan; and his brothers, William "Bill" Smith and Vernon L. Smith, Jr.
Toby's life was a testament to hard work, family, and joy in the simple pleasures. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Littlefield E.M.S. Volunteer Association, PO Box 1267, Littlefield, Texas 79339.
Funeral services were held Thursday morning, April 3, 2025, at Grace Chapel in Hillcrest Funeral Home with Rev. Danny Sanders officiating. Interment followed in Littlefield Memorial Park.
Arrangements were under the personal care of Hillcrest Funeral Home in Littlefield, Texas.