Julia Claire Collins "Jule" Smith

Born in Opelika, Alabama in 1929, Jule grew up in Montgomery and in the country outside Lowndesboro, Alabama. She graduated from Hayneville High School at age 16, and matriculated to Alabama Polytechnic Institute, now Auburn University, where she pledged Kappa Delta. It was also at Auburn that she met her future husband, Albert James Smith, Jr. Together they forged a lifelong partnership of excellence in everything they undertook.

Jule left Auburn after two years to marry Albert and moved with him first to Pittsburgh, then St. Louis. They transferred to Houston in 1951, and would make this dynamic city their permanent home. While making a wonderful home for her husband and three children, which was always open and welcoming to friends and family, Jule still made time to take courses over the years at the Women’s Institute, Houston Baptist University, and the University of Houston. But as the daughter of a school teacher and former Superintendent of Education for the State of Alabama, she was driven by the fact that she was the only one in her family without a college degree. So, in 1999, she and Albert made a temporary move to Auburn so she could finish her degree in Sociology……..at age 70. The entire graduating class stood to applaud her accomplishment as Albert stood on stage to hand her the diploma.

She was a natural and accomplished leader. During the 60’s and 70’s, Jule and Albert were active members of Chapelwood United Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday School and was a leader in the association of Methodist women. Later, she and Albert became active members of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church and the Randy Smith Sunday School Class. Jule was a long-time member of the Blue Bird Circle, of which she served as president in 1989 – 90. She served as president of the River Oaks Rose Club in 1998-99. She also enjoyed “leading” her dear husband on power walks early each morning, especially on the roads near their beautiful weekend retreat in Chappell Hill.

Anyone who knew Jule would tell you that her beautiful southern accent, charm, beauty, and grace were matched evenly by her unfaltering and flawless sense of style. One would never find her dressed in a color or style of clothing that didn’t complement every aspect of her appearance. Jule read constantly and always had a book in hand, with several more by her bed. She loved popcorn and going to the “picture show.” She loved to sing and dance, especially to Big Band music. She made it a family tradition to sing “God Bless America” at every available opportunity -- always beginning with the lesser known first verse, not the chorus. She was a competitive bridge partner and tennis player. As an avid tennis player for many years, she emphasized precise shot placement over power to confound her opponents.

Jule loved art as well as music, and she and Albert filled their home with paintings and other art, often purchased on their many trips around the world. In honor of their 50th wedding anniversary, Albert made a gift to their beloved Auburn to establish The Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art at Auburn University. She cherished the honor of having the only university art museum in Alabama named for her, and continued to think about how it could better serve to foster an appreciation of art in future generations.

Jule was preceded in death by her parents, Julia Higgins Collins and Albert Hamilton Collins, along with sisters, Mavis Carline Collins and Anne Collins Williams. She is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Alberta and Shelby Baker, of Tifton, Georgia. Jule is also survived by her husband, Albert, her best friend and constant companion for almost 67 years; their daughter, J’Anne Rawson, and her husband Jeff; their son, Bert, and his wife, Gwen; and their son, Bill. She also leaves a legacy of love to her grandchildren (Whitten Stuckey and his wife, Brooke; Katie Rushing and her husband, Davis; Abigail, Eleanor and Albert Smith; and Katherine and Michelle Smith), as well as her four great grandchildren, Whitten and Mossie Stuckey and Radley and Willie Rushing. She is also survived by her dedicated personal assistant, Linda Ghignone, as well as her loyal companion, Johnnie Mae Simpson, who has been a member of the Smith family for over 56 years.

The family also wishes to recognize the loyal devotion of Jule’s many caregivers, especially Leonor Aguilar and Virginia and Florenzio Vega.

The memorial service is to be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Friday, the 19th of June, in the sanctuary of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 3471 Westheimer Road in Houston, where Dr. Tom Pace, Senior Pastor, is to officiate. Immediately following all are invited to greet the family during a reception.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family asks that donations be made to The Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art at Auburn University, 901 S. College St., Auburn, Alabama, 36830.