Ira Smith

Ira W. “Smitty” Smith, 97 a longtime Santa Rosa businessman died Tuesday, June 21, 2005 at his home following an illness. Smitty was born March 8, 1908 in Beckham County, Oklahoma to the home of Harrison and Dora (Dover) Smith. He was one of eleven children born to this union. Smitty’s family moved to Texas when he was 12. After completing 11 years of education, he worked in the oil fields in Iraan, Texas. He met Ethel E. Beauford during this time and they were married on December 2, 1933. They made their home in Santa Rosa in 1936. Smitty opened the Pecos Theatre in April of that year. He was also a longtime owner of the Tower Motel in Santa Rosa. Smitty was very civic minded, supporting all endeavors that pertained to the City of Santa Rosa. He served as Mayor for eight years, was City Councilor four years; served on the Farmers Electric Board of Directors 28 years (1957 to 1985). He also served on the Guadalupe County Hospital Board for seven years. Smitty was preceded in death by his wife Ethel E. Smith in 1999; and nine brothers and sisters. Survivors include his sister, Roberta Rouse of Lafayette, Louisiana; a sister-in-law, Maxine Mullikin and her two children Robert “Bobby” Mullikin and Kathy (Mullikin) VanCleve; long time friend, Joan Johnson; employee and good friends, Hector and Viola Puchi and family. Also surviving are numerous nieces, nephews and a host of relatives and friends. Visitation hours will be Thursday from 10am to 6pm and Friday from 10am to 1:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, June 24, 2005 from Evergreen Cemetery in Santa Rosa with Rev. Kevin Koop officiating. Serving as Pallbearers will be Monty Foster, Brandon Foster, Robby Mullikin, Hector Puchi, D.H. Foster, and Jeff Beauford. The family prefers memorial contributions to the Evergreen Cemetery Assn. c/o P.O. Drawer T; Santa Rosa, New Mexico 88435. All arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 923 S. Third Street; Santa Rosa, New Mexico. (505) 472-3369