Wilma McClung Smith

Wilma McClung Smith died Tuesday May 6, 2025. She was born February 1, 1920, in the Sugar Loaf Community, an early hard-scrabble pioneer area, now part of Ft. Cavasos.
She began her education in two-room schoolhouse two miles from her family home. Like most children in and around Sugar Loaf, Wilma walked to and from school.
In 1936, thanks to the addition of a new Killeen ISD school bus running the Sugar Loaf route, Wilma was able to complete her junior and senior years, graduating high school in 1937. During that time, she would first encounter Home Economics and longed to become an HE teacher. In the depths of the Great Depression, college seemed an impossible goal. However, with the full support of her family, they all set about making her dream a reality. They raised and sold turkey and calves and picked cotton every summer. Ultimately, Mr. McClung arranged a $25 bank loan to help with the expenses. Wilma completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics in three and one- half years from Southwest Texas Normal School in San Marcos. She would eventually earn her Master of Education in 1952 from Southwest Texas State Teachers College.
Wilma's teaching career spanned thirty-two years as a teacher and supervisor in Killeen ISD. She was named Teacher of the Year in 1980. She was an avid supporter of 4H, Future Homemakers of America, Texas State Teachers Association, Delta Kappa Gamma. Killeen Retired Teachers, and Salado Auxiliary. Wilma was a life-long and devoted member of the Methodist Church.
While working on her bachelor's degree, Wilma met Coopwood C. Smith of Lockhart. They married in 1941. They spent most of their married life in Killeen before retiring to Salado in 1980 where they enjoyed many happy and productive years. They celebrated sixty-six years of marriage before Mr. Smith's death.
Wilma is survived by her two daughters and their husbands: Betty (Jesse) Luxton and Peggy (Larry) Hilburn. Services for Mrs. Smith will be held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 11 a.m. in the Salado United Methodist Church Chapel preceded by viewing at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Killeen City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to Salado United Methodist Church or Habitat for Humanity would be appreciated.
Services in the care of Broecker Funeral Home of Salado.
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