Rachel Smith

Rachel Smith was born January 30, 1925 in Reagor Springs, Texas to Colonel Albert and Nettie Gertrude Joyce. She was born Gertrude Rachel Joyce, but went by Rachel most of her life. She had a brother, Clarence, and a sister, Hazel. Rachel passed away December 28, 2025.

Rachel graduated from Draughon Business College in Lubbock. She met Addison Smith through mutual friends, and they married in 1947. They were married 59 years, and raised a son and three daughters together. She was a vital partner in Addison's mechanic business by keeping books, "chasing" parts, and collecting debts. She was a talented seamstress, and sewed most of her children's clothes.

Rachel and Addison shared a love of fishing. While their children were young, the family spent weekends on a houseboat, that Addison built, on Possum Kingdom Lake. After Addison retired, they moved to Lake Arrowhead, where they lived for 30 years. She would go out fishing in her boat for hours by herself, or she would take family or friends. She taught her grandsons to bait their lines, catch, clean, and cook fish.

Rachel's favorite pastime later in life was gambling at the casinos. She tended to be luckier than most, and won a new Mustang at a local casino in 2011. Even at 100 years of age, she loved to spend hours walking all over the casinos playing her favorite slot machines.

Rachel lived a long, active life. She was preceded in death by her loving husband Addison, and her son Philip Smith. She is survived by three daughters, Pam Rogers, Zan Buchanan, and Rose Bowen. She is also survived by 9 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and 7 great, great grandchildren.

Services will be held January 2 at 1:00 PM at Park Place Christian Church in Wichita Falls.