Glenda Mary (Butler) Smith

Glenda Mary (Butler) Smith of Austin passed away on January 4th, 2026 at the age of 98. She was born on April 29th, 1927 in Price, Utah where she lived on a silver fox farm with her parents and younger brother, Milt. After her father’s death on December 22nd, 1939, her mother, Jean Butler, moved her young family to Long Beach, California. While her mother worked as a “Rosie the Riveter” in a factory in Long Beach during WWII, Glenda finished high school, and helped with her younger brother, 8 years her junior.

Glenda studied at Long Beach City College in the Technical Institute Division. She enjoyed an opportunity to model in San Francisco at a major department store and then worked at the United States Naval Hospital in Long Beach. She shared a beachside apartment with two other girls when she met her future husband, Thomas Granger Smith. Tom stopped in to see one of her roommates and quickly became captivated with the green-eyed beauty knitting on the couch. They were married April 4th, 1953 in McAllen, Texas.

After moving to Waco in 1956 with their new son, Lawrence Granger, Jean Cullen was born in 1959 and Elizabeth Butler in 1961. Glenda was actively involved in all her children’s sports and activities for the next 20 years. She served as President of the Providence Hospital Auxiliary Board, mid 1970’s and then joined Tom in his business, Smith Pump Company, Inc. She retired in 2011 as Comptroller/Chief Financial Officer to enjoy retirement with Tom. Besides their longtime passion for family and Smith Pump, Tom and Glenda added a new passion, Ocatillo Ranch, acquired in 1985.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Milton Emanual and Jean Cullen Butler and husband, Thomas Granger Smith.

Glenda is survived by brother: Milton Butler(Barbara), children: Granger(Lisa), Jean Radtke(Glen), Elizabeth Wilson(Michael); grandchildren: Thomas Smith, Alison Smith(JB Hewell), Alexandra Radtke(John Lawler), Glenda Radtke, Nolan Wilson, Juliana Wilson; great-grandchildren: Hal Lawler and Jean Lawler, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Eva Angel and Carolina Guerrera for the dedication, care and compassion they granted our beloved mother over the last four years.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life at First Lakeview Church, 14800 FM 2769, Volente, TX 78641 at 2 pm on February 21, 2026. Fellowship and refreshments to follow. The family encourages those attending to share their memories of Glenda. Colorful attire is welcome. Flowers can be delivered to the church between 11am and 1pm on the 21st .

Private spreading of ashes will occur at a later date next to her beloved husband.