Joseph Roland Smith

Joseph Roland Smith, 74, of Richmond, Texas passed away on June 8, 2018 after a prolonged illness. He was born on October 25, 1943 in Poplarville, Mississippi to Louis M. Smith and Evelyn (Carron) Smith. Roland is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Mary Gwendolyn Taylor. He is survived by his devoted wife of 54 years, Sylvia (Lehmann) Smith; only daughter, Michele (Smith) Beard and her husband, Jay; granddaughters Katherine (Katie) and Caroline (Carly) Richey; along with extended family and friends. Roland earned his BS in Business from the University of Houston in 1969, and spent much of his career with Polly Ryon Hospital in various administrative capacities until his retirement in 1996. He was a tireless supporter of the community through his involvement with the Rosenberg Chamber of Commerce, where he was the recipient of their L.D. Erwin Award multiple times. Roland was also a member of the Rotary Club, Lions Club, and Optimists Club, and a Life Member of the Fort Bend County Fair Association. A life-long sports fan, he lent his expertise to the Lamar Little League as a coach at both the Little League and Senior League levels, and he held membership and played a supporting role with the Lamar Athletic Boosters, the Lamar Fillies and Lamar Choir parent organizations. Roland spent countless hours in the Choir Loft at the County Fair flipping burgers to help fund various programs for the LCHS Choir, and he BBQed many a chicken leg quarter in numerous BBQ fundraisers in support of the LCHS Fillies. Wherever there was a need he could fill, Roland was there to support his community. He was a faithful and dedicated member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Richmond, and helped the church for many years at the annual Turkey Dinner fund raiser. This loving husband, Daddy, Papa, mentor and friend will be missed. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 12, 2018 in the Chapel of Davis-Greenlawn Funeral Home in Rosenberg. The funeral mass will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 13, 2018 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Richmond with burial at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Rosenberg. For those wishing, in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Sacred Heart Church Building Fund, or a charity of your choice. Tributes and words of condolences may be left for the family at www.davisgreenlawnfh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Davis-Greenlawn Funeral Home, 3900 B.F. Terry Blvd., Rosenberg, Texas 77471, Phone: 281-341-8800.

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Joseph Roland Smith

October 25, 1943 - June 8, 2018