Obituary of Ebbie C Smith

Ebbie Cullen Smith was born on April 26, 1932 in Houston, Texas to Thomas and Merle Smith. He went to be with the Lord on June 2, 2025 at the age of 93. Ebbie attended Conroe High School with the intention of going to college to become a teacher, until he felt called into ministry his senior year. He went on to attend Hardin-Simmons University to study theology, during which time he worked 2 jobs in the campus dining hall and as a janitor to pay for his education. During his time at Hardin-Simmons, Ebbie also became a pastor, married his high school sweetheart Donna Rodman, and they both graduated from HSU in 1954.

After graduating from college, Ebbie and Donna moved to Fort Worth for Ebbie to attend Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he earned a Master’s of Theology and Doctorate of Philosophy. During that time, he pastored several churches and he and Donna started their family, going on to have 3 sons and a daughter. Following Ebbie’s graduation from Southwestern, they entered the mission field in Indonesia, and served there for 15 years. Ebbie taught at the Indonesia pastor training school, and earned another Master’s degree in Missions. While in Indonesia, Ebbie and Donna tragically lost their son Roger in a motorcycle accident on June 12, 1973, and returned home to the states shortly after. Following the Lord’s leading, Ebbie then began his teaching career at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he was a professor for 22 years. After retiring from Southwestern, Ebbie earned another Master’s degree in Sociology, worked as a hospital chaplain, and served as interim pastor for several churches. Throughout his career, he also authored 12 books, co-authored 4 books, and co-edited a major book on missions. Ultimately, he felt called back to teaching and became an adjunct Sociology and Philosophy professor at TCC, where he taught until the age of 91.

While Ebbie was an extremely accomplished man in the field of education and ministry, his family and friends would tell you that he counted his family as his greatest accomplishment and joy of his life. He truly lived out the verses Matthew 22:37-39; “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Ebbie possessed a servant’s heart and would do anything within his power to help his family, his friends, or his students. He always brought joy to those around him, whether through his entertaining stories, his ridiculous (and sometimes inappropriate!) jokes, or through his purchasing of the latest technology despite having no clue how to use it. Ebbie loved a good meal, the Dallas Cowboys, and finding the next new adventure to embark on to keep him busy. While Ebbie will be dearly missed, his family has peace knowing his is now with the Lord and was no doubt welcomed into heaven with the phrase, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Ebbie was preceded in death by his parents Thomas and Merle; brothers Noel and Gary; and sons Roger and Randy. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Donna; his son Robin; daughter Rianna; grandchildren Roger, Michael, Becky, Donald, Nathan, Cody, and Danielle; great-grandchildren Zoe, Daniel, Bentlee, Zackery, Corbin, Cullen, Brantley and Scout; and great-great grandchild Leon; along with a host of extended family and friends.