Thelma Irete Perdue

Thelma Irete Perdue- known as Irete by her husband, family and friends, Granny by her grandchildren and Aunt Rete by her nieces and nephew, died on Sunday, November 20, 2022, at the age of 91 in Austin. She was surrounded by her son, daughter-in-law, three grandchildren and their spouses while in Austin. She also accomplished her objective in recently moving to Austin of meeting two of the three newest Austin great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by parents Joseph Guy Smithson and Learh Mae Smithson (Spraggins), and brother Bud Smithson (Charlotte) of Kerrville. She is survived by one sister Patricia Beringer of Memphis, stepsons Rick Perdue and Brad Perdue of Austin with his wife Connie as well as six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, six nieces and one nephew who loved her very much.

Irete was born on July 21, 1931 in Sherman, Texas. The family moved to Baytown and lived there until 1947. She attended Robert E Lee High School. Guy was offered a welding position with Creole Petroleum in Amuay, Venezuela and moved the family there. They later returned to central Texas. Irete attended the San Marcos Academy in San Marcos, for one year, and then went to Southwest Texas College one year. Before finishing college, she moved to Panama for two years. She once again returned to central Texas in Austin and worked at the State of Texas in two positions. She eventually moved to Dallas and was a legal secretary.

In the late 60s, she met her love of her life, Ernest Richard (Dick) Perdue. They married in 1970 and were together for over 43 years until Dick died in 2013. Dick was a restaurateur in Dallas, but shared a love of the country with Irete. Starting with a 220 acre ranch south of Bonham, Texas, they moved to the country and made a living in cattle, horses and hay. Irete’s primary joy, in addition to the country life, was hosting her sons and later their families, family members from Kerrville and Memphis and Dick’s family from Dallas, North Carolina and Virginia. She loved to cook, eat and talk and talk and talk at the dinner table. She was always the last one to finish, unless her mother Learh Mae was there, and they always talked themselves to a tie for last. Learh and Irete always had the best cobbler and chocolate meringue pie for dessert.

A sudden ranch house fire on the porch forced them to make a decision on what to do next. They had purchased around 60 acres in Ravenna, Texas, just north of Bonham and only two miles south of the Red River and on the river sandy loam soil that was perfect to raise fruits. That is exactly what they did and sold the ranch, built a house on the property and planted 50 pecan trees, hundreds of peach trees and a strawberry orchard. They had a pick-your-own business for many years. Irete lived at the orchard homestead until 2018 and then moved into the city of Bonham.

Irete was a loving person and loved to laugh! She was always upbeat and cheerful despite circumstances. Her faith was very strong. She and Brad had many discussions about the beyond, and she was never afraid and knew exactly where she was going. She was a member and actively attended The Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Bonham for most of the close to the 40 years they lived in the area. She attended St. John Episcopal Church in Austin on All Saints' Day just two weeks before she passed. God had plans for her indeed!

The family plans to lay Irete and Dick to rest at the Arledge Ridge Cemetery just south of Bonham sometime in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to your own favorite charity.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com for the Perdue family.