Martha Ann Turner Smith

1931 - 2025

Martha Ann Turner Smith February 22, 1931 - October 7, 2025 Martha Ann Turner Smith - "Ann" to many, "Annie" to some, and "Mami" to a lucky few - was born in Ft. Worth, Texas, February 22, 1931.

A Gladney baby, she was adopted by Grady and Oleta Turner. They raised her in Mineral Wells, Texas, where she finished high school at the age of 16. She met Don Smith at Weatherford Junior College and married him - for the first time - in 1948. They had three children together before divorcing - for the second and final time - in 1982.

Ann was a vivacious trailblazer, as unafraid to marry and divorce twice as she was to work a "man's job" or run for public office. In Jacksboro, Ann worked for the County Judge and County Commissioners Court. She and Don moved to Cleburne in 1972 before landing in Granbury in 1982. It was there that she began her own political career. Her sharp wit and even sharper tongue paired with an unending eye for fashion, the sparkier the better, and a depthless passion for what's "right" vaulted her to local political success. Or, maybe it was the string of grandkids parading up and down the streets chanting, "Vote for Annie, she's our Granny!" Either way, she was elected the Hood County Tax Assessor Collector in the 1980s, where she met and forged a longtime relationship with the other Texas "Ann" (Richards).

Two terms later, Ann retired and lived in Jacksboro, Mineral Wells, Runaway Bay, Decatur and Bridgeport. She was a community volunteer, attended meetings on behalf of state representatives, and was a local municipal judge. Most importantly though, during this time, she was the head of "Camp Mami" - an annual weeklong retreat to her home for all her many grandkids, who would spend the week under her fierce, strong, fun, vibrant tutelage. Camp Mami's alumni - her many grandkids - still tell story after story about their Mami. She taught them all to be stubbornly good.

She is predeceased by her oldest son, Tommy Smith, and just two weeks prior, her son Craig Smith. She is survived by her daughter Sue Schechter of Chappell Hill, Daughters-in-law Nancy Smith of Runaway Bay and Jeanne Smith of Kennedale, and 8 grandchildren, and many great grandchildren. She was so touched to meet her genetic nephew in January 2025, David Patillo, for the first time. She donated her body to Southwestern Medical Center for research. Her

service will be in October 2026 at the Oakwood Cemetery Headstone in Jacksboro that Ann

designed and had installed many years ago.