Neuman Ezell Smith

Neuman E. Smith, lifetime resident of Runnels County, passed away Thursday, December 18, 2008 at Runnels County Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Ballinger. He was 92 years old.


He was born November 23, 1916 on the family farm in the Barnett Community, seven miles northwest of Ballinger. His parents were Charles Randolf Smith, born September 13, 1874 west of Marble Falls, Burnet County, Texas, and Margret Ellen “Maggie” Stapleton Smith, born January 7, 1879 in San Jacinto County. Neuman grew up in the Spring Hill Community, five miles southwest of Ballinger. He attended the two-room Spring Hill School, finishing the seventh grade in May 1930. In late August 1930 Neuman started to Ballinger High School as a freshman at age 13. He rode his favorite pony, “Daisy,” the five miles and tied her to a mesquite tree near Noah’s Ark, a school supply stand one block from the high school.

Neuman loved the land, loved all kinds of livestock, especially horses, and all through the years he raised and trained many horses of his own and broke many horses for others. He loved to raise all kinds of crops. He was the cowboy of the community, as well as working on a ranch twelve miles up the Colorado River from his home when he was in his teens.

After his father died in 1936, he and his brother, Alton, farmed the old home place and made a home for their mother. In 1939 Neuman took over the full operation of the farm. Neuman married Thelma Hudson December 31, 1940 in Ballinger in the home of an early-day Baptist minister, M. G. Golden. The couple lived on the “old place” until 1957 when they moved to one of their farms in the Hatchel community. He continued to operate the “old place.”

Neuman was a truck farmer, could ride a horse with the best of the cowboys, was a true historian, a philosopher, a writer, could preside at meetings, or bring a message from the Bible to his church congregation; he was a good hand to organize any function. He presented many programs on the history of Ballinger and the rural areas to civic clubs, schools, churches, rest homes, and state historical meetings. He helped many families trace their heritage from his knowledge of people he remembered and knew. Neuman held positions of service with numerous boards and organizations and received several awards for his endeavors and accomplishments.

His wife, Thelma, died May 21, 1986. He and Barbara Ellen Wright, editor of The Ballinger Ledger at the time, were married May 10, 1987 in the First Christian Church in Ballinger.

Neuman belonged to the West; he was born in the West, lived and worked in the West. His weathered skin showed he had worked hard in all kinds of weather all his life. Neuman loved everyone, and everyone loved Neuman. He lived the old-time hospitality of the West—“Love and Work”—all his life. He also tried to live the Golden Rule, “Love thy neighbor as thyself.”

He is survived by his wife, Barbara, of Austin; stepchildren, Diana E. Wright, Shene St. Simone, Darcey E. Cooley, and Richard A. Wright; grandchild, Jennifer M. Cooley; two great-grandchildren, James Matthew Cooley and Victoria Rose Cooley. Also surviving are nephews Bobby Smith of Ballinger, Charles Smith of Leander, and two nieces.


Memorial services for Neuman Smith will be at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 3, 2009 at the First Christian Church in Ballinger with Lynn Smith officiating. Arrangements are with Lange Funeral Home.