Sherman Smith

Sherman Lee Smith (age 72) died peacefully at his home in Odessa on Saturday, October 30, 2021. He was born June 5, 1949, in Norman Oklahoma.  He grew up in Lubbock, Texas, where he graduated from Coronado High School in 1967.  After graduating high school he attended South Plains College in Levelland.  In 1969 he transferred to Texas Tech University in Lubbock where he graduated in 1972 with a degree in industrial management.  He was a charter member of Life Change Baptist Church in Odessa.

Shortly after completing his degree, Sherman went to work for Employers Casualty Company in Lubbock. He was employed as a claims adjuster and later as a claims specialist.  In 1980 he was promoted to district claims coordinator for the Midland-Odessa division. He moved from Lubbock to Odessa and worked for the company until 1984 when he took a job as the safety coordinator and insurance specialist for Yale E. Key, Inc. In 1985 he found a work “family” with Jim Howard and friends at Permian Claim Service where he worked as a claims adjuster until 2006. In 2004, 2005 and 2006 Sherman handled hurricane claims throughout the state of Florida, all the while maintaining his home in Odessa.  In 2006 he was hired by Diesel Testers in Odessa and worked at that employment until his retirement in 2016.

Sherman is survived by his wife of 36 years Joetta Bradford Smith of Odessa; sister Patsy Barnett and husband David of Elephant Butte, New Mexico; honored family member Tracie Hughes of Odessa; niece Shayna Mathews and her twin children Rayven and Draven of Odessa (to whom he was “Papa”); mother-in-law Peggy Bradford of Odessa; sister-in-law Sharon Heath of Alvord; nephew Justin Heath and wife Cassidee of Alvord; niece Ashley Heath of Alvord; niece Dena Moore and husband Kevin of Fernley, Nevada; nephew Duane Baker and wife Terri of Bakersfield, California; niece Joanne Rodriguez and husband Antonio of El Paso; niece Amanda Ross and husband Brian of Nassua Bay; several great nephews and nieces; and many loving and caring friends.

Sherman is predeceased by his parents Edna Deane and Gerald Smith; sister and brother-in-law Karron and Wayne Brandon; father-in-law J. O. Bradford; sister-in-law Deborah Mathews; brother-in-law Kenny Heath; and grandparents Beatrice and F. E. Woolery.

Interment will take place at a private family ceremony.

The family wishes to thank the many healthcare workers and providers who worked so diligently to care for Sherman during his battle with cancer -- Dr. Ralph Cepero and staff in Odessa; Medical Center Hospital and staff in Odessa; Dr. Joseph Kaczor and staff at Texas Oncology in Odessa; Dr. Eduardo Diaz and staff at MD Anderson in Houston; and the staff at Home Hospice in Odessa for their love and support. The family is especially grateful to Afton and Vanessa of Home Hospice for the tender loving care they showed Sherman and his family. The family requests donations to Home Hospice, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Texas Oncology, or charity of choice.