MAURICE JOSEPHINE SHOTTS SMITH

MAURICE JOSEPHINE SHOTTS SMITH was born in Cuero, Texas, on August 3, 1914. She entered into Heaven on Thursday, August 26, 2010, at the age of 96 years.At the age of 14, she and her family moved to West Columbia where her father, a pharmacist, could find work during the Depression. There, she met, and later married, Thomas Masterson Smith, Jr., on December 10, 1932. A daughter was born in 1935, after which they moved to Houston, where a son and daughter were born in 1941 and 1953. Tommie entered WWII as an officer, and the family moved to Stillwater, OK. and Galveston, Texas. Maurice was left in Victoria, Texas, when Tommie was called to the CBI Theater as a part of the reclamation forces. They settled in Victoria after the war, then moved to Houston in 1949, where she made her home until 1965. After the death of her in-laws, they returned to West Columbia. She and Tommie restored the old Smith home in East Columbia. A long time member of the Brazoria County Library Branch, she was instrumental in developing the "Friends of the Library" association and was on the board of the West Columbia Library. She was an active member of the First Capitol Study Club serving as President in 1971-1972. She was always a devoted church member of the Methodist Faith. She was active at Bethany Methodist in Houston for many years. She has been a member of Columbia United Methodist Church since moving to West Columbia in 1965. Maurice has served as a Trustee on the Board at church, a member of the Pastor/Parish Committee and a committed member of the United Methodist Women. She loved teaching Sunday School to the fifth and sixth grade students. Maurice was involved throughout her community. She was a Brownie and Girl Scout Leader for many years, in Houston, as well as West Columbia. She enjoyed opening her home in East Columbia to Planner of the San Jacinto Festival, the annual Christmas tours, teas and receptions for weddings, and entertaining local and state dignitaries.After her husband's death in 1979, she worked long and hard to earn a Texas Historical marker for the home she loved so very much. Maurice was honored as " Woman of the Year" in 1985 by West Columbia Chamber of Commerce. She lived in East Columbia until 1999, when her failing health necessitated a move. She spent many years in Lake Jackson until relocating to Houston. She lived there for nine years and just recently had moved to Angleton.Maurice is predeceased by her parents Roy and Mary Stennis Shotts, her husband, Thomas M Smith, Jr.,(Tommie), a sister, Clara Ella Enlow; and a brother, Bob L. Shotts.She is survived by three children and their spouses, JoLynn and Jim Gerhardt, Tim and Phyllis Smith and Sheryl and Mark Ducroz. She is also survived by grandchildren Allison Elliott (Skip), Carole Blanton (Daryl), Tom Gerhardt (Rachel), Kristen Barker (Matt), Russell Smith (Nancy), Shelbey Hardwick (Jody) and Rob Ducroz, Shalene Rodgers and Michelle Carruth (David).There are also fifteen great grandchildren: Curt and Ashley Blanton, Casper Coteras, Tanner and Clara Gerhardt, Kelsey and Rachel Barker, Brayden, Brinley and Brittyn Hardwick, Maddie Rodgers, Brooklyne Callahan and Victoria Carruth, Ellis and Wesley Smith. She is survived as well by brothers, Roy Dixon Shotts and wife, Dot and Bill Shotts. She also leaves to cherish her memory, many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.Funeral Services have been scheduled for Monday, August 30, 2010 at 2:00 pm at Columbia United Methodist Church~ West Columbia with Bro. Mark Ducroz officiating. Serving as active pallbearers are Robert M Ducroz, Thomas E. Gerhardt, Russell M Smith, Curt R. Blanton, Paul "Skip" Elliott, and Jody Hardwick. Honorary Pallbearers will be Daryl Blanton, Matt Barker, Bill Shotts, and Roy Dixon Shotts.Visitation will be on Sunday, August 29, 2010 from 2:00 pm until 4:00 pm at Baker Funeral Home~ West Columbia.The family requests in lieu of flowers donations be made to "Friends of the Library" West Columbia Branch.Final arrangements under the direction of Baker Funeral Home, 634 S. Columbia Drive, West Columbia, Texas 77486 (979) 345-3232.Online condolences may be left for the family by signing the guestbook at www.bakerfuneralhome.net