Gwendolyn Jeanette Smith was born in Houston Texas on September 12, 1937, and died on September 16, 2021, in Houston Texas after a short battle with coronary disease. Gwendolyn was born to Bessie Mae Penn at Jefferson Hospital in Houston Texas. Gwendolyn spent her years growing up on the North Side of Houston, with her single mother, and older brother, Lavone Baumert. At the young age of 14 she met and fell in love with Robert Lee “Bob” Smith. They married on October 27, 1952, and Gwendolyn was immediately welcomed into the Gardner family that was comprised of Grandpa, Grandma, numerous Aunts, Uncles, and cousins. Her early years were also the time that she began her long, loving relationship with Jesus Christ. After starting their family in the early years of their marriage, Gwendolyn and Robert Lee moved to Conroe, South Montgomery County, Texas. In 1963 they opened Bob’s Frontier Bar-B-Q on Interstate 45 north at FM 1488 exit that was well known for its pit smoked bar-b-q, cider, and the cowboy sign with pistols in the air. Many people in and around the Conroe area began calling Gwendolyn “Mrs. Bob”. You could always count on her beautiful smile, and sweet spirit to greet you at the door. Her faith, the importance of family and friends, along with her deep commitment to Christ was evident to all upon meeting her. She never met a stranger and had many loyal customers to the restaurant until it closed. They furthered their business by opening “Little Dude Mini Storage” which remains a thriving business today after 30 years.
Gwendolyn was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Robert Lee (Bob) Smith, her mother, Bessie Mae Penn and her brother, Lavonne Paul Baumert.
She is survived by, sons Robert “Patrick” Smith and John Steven Smith; daughters Mona Cannon and husband Hoagy, and Melonie Harrell and husband Mark; Eleven grandchildren, Tiffany Smith, Joshua Smith and wife Katy, Jacob Smith, Brandon Harrell and wife Elizabeth, Daniel Lee Harrell, Tara Harrell Acker and husband Matthew, Monica Finch, Adam Finch, Philip Finch, Nicolas Finch, Johnathan Smith and 11 Great Grandchildren and 1 Great Great Grandchild whom she loved dearly along with a host of devoted adopted cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Visitation with family and friends will be Sunday, September 19, 2021, from 5:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m. at Cashner Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Monday, September 20, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. at Cashner Funeral Home. Internment will immediately follow at East Sandy Cemetery, New Waverly, Texas. Live Streaming of the services will begin 10 minutes prior on Cashner Funeral Home Facebook page
The family would like to extend special acknowledgement and appreciation to: Barbara Moulder who was the longtime companion, friend, and caregiver to their mother. She is clothed with strength and dignity and laughs without fear of the future. Proverbs 31:25
