Sue Smith

September 9, 1939 - August 2, 2015
Sue C. Smith passed away on Sunday August 2, 2015 surrounded by loved ones after a long and valiant struggle with dementia. Sue Smith's spirit first touched the world on September 9, 1939 in Concordia, Kansas.

Sue may not have been born in Texas, but she got there as fast as she could and met the love of her life, January H. Smith, Jr. They were married on November 13, 1956 and thus began their 59 years together full of adventure, great joy, and love.

In the coming years, Sue and Jan were blessed with four children and Sue embraced motherhood with both strength and unconditional love. Her children recount endless stories of Sue canoeing, camping, and breathing life and joy into even the most seemingly mundane of everyday activities. Although many tears were shed in the recent weeks spent reminiscing by Sue's bedside, smiles and laughter echoed throughout the hospice halls as friends and family relived days past.

Over the course of Jan's career with JC Penney, the Smith family relocated to cities all over Texas. Sue's love emanated far beyond her family and out into each of these communities through her volunteer efforts and church service. She had a gift for finding people in need wherever she went, touching lives in Houston, San Antonio, Alice, Victoria and starting the Friends of the Library volunteer organization to reinvigorate the Harlingen library. Sue touched the lives of hundreds with her compassion and left each city better than she found it.

Sue's natural gift for helping others was further strengthened when she joined the Westlake Hill's Presbyterian Church family in Austin and recommitted her life to Christ. As a lifelong learner, she studied the scriptures, participated in discussions in The Dearman Group and led others to find God as she led by example. Through the church, she played a vital role in aiding individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's and their caregivers during The Gathering. She danced, sang, and brought smiles to all. As a further testament to Sue's nurturance and compassion, she was one of the first individuals recruited to be a Stephen's Minister because she had already naturally been serving in the role years before the program ever began. It is through her service to others that Sue will continue to live on for decades to come as her warmth and love continues to ripple through communities while her memory brings smiles and inspiration to the friends and family that remain to carry on her legacy.

Sue Smith leaves to cherish her memory her husband (January H. Smith, Jr.), children (January H. Smith, III, Sherry Smith, Lynda Gonzales, Jennifer Smith), and grandchildren (Ashley Smith, Tracy Rall, Tabitha Teeples, January H. Smith, IV, Esteban Gonzales, Olivia Gonzales, Isaac Gonzales). She is further survived by Thomas Zigal, Mary Frances Smith, and Daniel Zigal. Sue is preceded in death by her mother and father, Fairy Casey and William Bowersox.

A memorial service celebrating Sue Smith's life will be held in Austin at Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church on Saturday August 22, 2015 at 2 p.m.