Elbert Mason SMITH

McMinnville resident and Warren County native Elbert Mason Smith, age 74, was born January 31, 1931 and died January 23, 2006 at River Park Hospital following a one year illness.  A retired employee of Magnetek in the Die Cast Dept., a farmer and a member of the Shellsford Baptist Church, he was the son of the late C.H. and Mary Eudeania Grissom Smith, Jr.  He was married to Lenia M. Whitlock Smith December 24, 1954.  In addition to his parents he was also preceded in death by a son-in-law Kenneth Shirley and brothers, Franklin D. and Joe Lewis Smith.  In addition to his wife he is also survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Mary Shirley and George Roller of McMinnville;  two grandsons, Kenneth Mason Shirley and fiancée, Retta Coakley of Columbus, Ohio and James Casey Shirley of Olive Branch, MS;  two sisters, Mildred Sue Draper of Ootlewah, TN and Marty Kaye of Austin, TX;  step-mother, Beatrice Stiles Smith of McMinnville and several nieces and nephews.  Funeral service was held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 25, 2006 in High's Chapel with Steve Morris officiating.  Burial followed in the Shellsford Cemetery.