Ernest "LEE" Smith

Lee Smith passed away May 2, 2024, in Matador, TX. He was born January 1, 1941, to Ernest B. and Leona Madine (Holt) Smith, in Paducah/Cottle County, TX. Lee graduated from Motley County High School in 1960. He served in the United States Army. Lee enjoyed fishing and “cuttin-up” with his friends.

Lee spent his life as a musician, playing the guitar; he had a local band, called Highway 70. Earnest also played in other bands, such as Sons of the West and Brady Bowen and the Texas Playboys. He was inducted into the Texas Country Western Swing Hall of Fame, by the Governor of Texas. Lee was an accomplished musician, earning the Country Western Swing Hero Award from Texas Governor, Greg Abbott. 

Lee was preceded in death by his father and mother, Ernest B. and Leona and a brother, Denny Smith. Those remaining to cherish his many memories are, his daughter, Carrie (Gary) Tomlinson, and his grandchildren, Levi (Hailey) Buckner, Candace Buckner, Schyler (Anne) Tomlinson, Chase (Emily) Buckner, Taylor (Regan) Elliot, Tristan Tomlinson, and 15 great-grandchildren. 

The family of Ernest Lee Smith will honor and celebrate his life with a graveside service at 11:00AM, Saturday, May 25, 2024, at Garden of Memories Cemetery, Paducah, with Chad Lawrence officiating. Also, the family of Lee Smith would like to extend a special “Thank You” to the staff at Matador Health and Rehabilitation Center. 

Arrangements were entrusted to Combest Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Lubbock.