Leland Smith

Leland Smith, age 89, of Winnsboro, Texas, went to his eternal home on January 17, 2026. He was born on May 15, 1936, in the small West Texas town of Newcastle, Texas. 

Leland was a man of extraordinary devotion. For over five decades, he was a dedicated husband to his wife, Serrita Smith. Following her diagnosis with Multiple Sclerosis in the 1970s, Leland became her primary caregiver and never left her side until her passing in 2010. 

A lifelong fan of the Dallas Cowboys and the SMU Mustangs, Leland’s "love language" was sports. He found great joy in talking about the latest games, though his greatest joy was his family. Before suffering a stroke in 1999, he spent as many hours as possible with his grandsons, Dakota and Weston whom he loved greatly. 

In his later years, Leland discovered a passion for writing. He began writing fiction while weaving his own experiences and interests into the stories. In a 2015 short story, he recalled a childhood memory of walking a mile and a half with his grandmother on the gravel and red dirt roads of Newcastle to attend church. 

He wrote: "Walking home at night are some of the most memorable [moments], as she held my small hand and quieted my complaints when I would get upset, because people with autos who lived close by passed us by without offering us a ride. She would just pat me on the head and say, 'God will bless you for walking to church and back,' and say also, 'Walking is good for you.' I think I just closed my eyes until she said, 'We are home now.'" 

Leland is survived by his son, Greg Smith; his daughter-in-law, Julie Bradfield; his grandsons, Dakota Smith and Weston Smith; and his close relative, Bonnie Smith. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 52 years, Serrita Smith, his son, Richard Smith and a brother, Mike Smith. 

The family finds comfort in knowing that Leland’s long walk is over, and he has finally heard the words, "We are home now." He will be greatly missed until we see him again.