Benny Smith

Ralph Benton “Benny” Smith was born September 19, 1948, in Durant, Oklahoma to parents Bill Brady and Mary Lou (Edelen) Smith.

Our Benny, dad, and Papa was a man of few words, so we’ll try to keep this short and sweet. However, he was an extraordinary man, so words alone fail to convey his personality and the impact he had on countless people throughout his life.

Benny lost his dad at an early age, so he was the only male in a house with three females. He became the man of the house at the age of 9 which we believe helped shape him into the man he became, who many instantly loved and respected. He knew the importance of family and how precious life really is.

From an early age through high school, he excelled in all sports and academics and received many awards during high school. One summer in college, he drove to Ripon, Wisconsin to work for the Jolly Green Giant. He woke up in the wee hours of the morning to collect samples of green beans to see if they were ready for harvesting that day.

He met the love of his life, Glenda, on Halloween night in 1965. They grew together from high school sweethearts to newlyweds, parents, and then to the best grandparents, Papa and Mo. Married for 54 years, Benny loved Glenda with his whole heart. A dear friend once said they “didn’t know where Benny ended, and Glenda began.” They were always together and didn’t want it any other way.

His dad was a Superintendent of schools, and his mom was teacher, so Benny followed in their footsteps and became an educator. After teaching math in Oklahoma for seven years, he moved to Plano with his young family in 1977. He spent the next 28 years working for Plano ISD, 25 of those years at Vines High School as Assistant Principal and then Principal. His quiet leadership was calming to parents, students, teachers, and staff, and he believed in the capability and potential of co-workers and students.

But his favorite job was being a dad to his three children. He helped coach soccer, and he attended every game, performance, and event for all three of his kids. This included driving to Kansas City, MO every other weekend for three months to watch one of his sons play football in college.

He was highly skilled as a carpenter and handyman and even remodeled several houses for our family homes and each of the kids’ homes. Many of Glenda’s home visions became a reality because of his talent, craft, and patience. He taught all 3 of his kids to be handy and that “grout can fix a lot of things.”

His most treasured title was Papa to his three grandkids. When they were all little, he said, “I’m going to hold them as much as I can because someday, they’ll be too big and won’t let me hold them anymore.” You would often find him on the floor as a horse, with a grandkid on his back, in a chair holding them for a nap (both child and Papa!) or reading a book.

He was an active member at Pitman Creek Church of Christ for many years, serving as a Deacon, Elder, Sunday School teacher, and youth life group leader. He was a dedicated family man who loved God and people. We don’t know if he realized his impact on so many people across generations, and we’re not sure if we will ever fully know the extent.

He was a simple man. He didn’t want attention and didn’t need much, but he sowed everything he was given back to God, his family, and others, and God blessed him abundantly. He was quiet, patient, kind, sweet, silly, supportive, funny, loving, sensitive, thoughtful, and the sweetest man we have ever known. Our hearts will be forever heavy while we miss him here, but we know we will be together in Heaven one day soon.

Benny is survived by his loving wife of 54 years Glenda Smith; children Jeramy Smith, Jason Smith and his wife Shelly, Jenilee Smith Lee and her husband Jon; grandchildren Maddox Smith, Maren and Benton Lee; sister Melinda Hendricks and her husband Mark; including an aunt, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Marilla “Susie” Green.

There will be a funeral service to celebrate Benny’s life at 1:00 p.m., Friday, January 5, 2024, at The Church of Christ on McDermott Road, 3600 McDermott Rd, Plano, Texas. If you wish to join the service via webcast, please visit: https://www.ccmcdermott.org/funeral/

Benny will be laid to rest at Ridgeview Cemetery, Allen, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Plano Retired Teachers Association’s Scholarship Fund for Future Teachers.  Three seniors from each of the senior high schools receive this annually. Checks can be made to PRTA c/o Francie Mikulas 2421 Windsor Place Plano, Texas 75075.