Patsy Ruth Smith

Our beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and friend, Patsy Ruth McDonough Smith, 94, of Colleyville, TX, passed away peacefully on January 26, 2026, at her home. She was born on July 5, 1931 in Oak Cliff, TX and attended Cliff Temple Baptist Church, the cornerstone of her lifelong faith. She graduated from Sunset High School, and when she left to attend Baylor University, owned only 1 pair of black shoes. She met her husband, Herman Jared Smith, on a blind date, and in 1950, they married and then honeymooned in their apartment in Ft. Worth. After Herman’s Naval assignment in Miramar, CA, they returned to Hurst, TX to raise two daughters, Vicki and Karla.

Throughout her life, Patsy was active in the church, teaching Sunday School and leading the Baptist Training Union and Women’s Missionary Union. After Herman’s death in 1994, Patsy expertly managed their real estate development company. She was committed to servant leadership, believing “You can’t outgive God,” and served as President of the Home for Women’s Shelter, chaired the Home Builders Institute, was a trustee at Dallas Baptist University, and served on the Building Committee at White’s Chapel Methodist. Patsy was always active in church, from Richland Hills Baptist to First Baptist Colleyville to Woodland Heights Baptist Church to White’s Chapel, and was guided by her belief that “If He gets you to it, He will get you through it!” This faith informed her philanthropy, including support for the Tarrant Baptist Association, Texas Baptist Men, the Denison Forum, Jews for Jesus, Dallas Baptist University, Baylor University, and East Texas Baptist University. Because of her passion for higher education, Patsy has endowed scholarships at Dallas Baptist University, Baylor University, and the Home Builders Institute. She was recognized externally for all of her accomplishments -- election to Texas Builders Hall of Honor; first and only trustee emeritus for the Home Builders Institute; Lifetime Trustee for the National Association of Home Builders; Ruth Award recipient; and Russell H. Perry Free Enterprise Award recipient.

She loved traveling the world, running, shopping, ballroom dancing, gardening, reading, and sweet desserts, but more than anything, Patsy—or Tutu, as she was known as by her grandchildren and great grandchildren--loved her family and all of those she came into contact with. She was an amazing speaker who looked everyone in the eye so they knew she was truly listening and had a way of making every person feel like they were the most important person.

She is survived by her daughters, Vicki Weinberg Morris (Monte) of Colleyville, TX and Karla Smith of Edwards, CO along with grandchildren Michael Weinberg (Sheryl), Shannon Kinney (Cooper), Joshua Weinberg (Tricia), Jacqueline Grisham (RB), Jared Hamilton (Kendall), and Christina Fritchie (Alec), and 13 great grandchildren (Ella and Ava May Weinberg, Collins and Hudson Kinney, Campbell and Cobbs Weinberg, Robert and Kellett Grisham, Patrick and George Hamilton, and William, Henry, and Field Fritchie), as well as her sister, Linda Hamilton, numerous nieces and nephews, and her companion and associate, Carlos Moncada. Each of them, as well as anyone in Patsy’s life, felt better about themselves because of Tutu. Patsy was the ultimate giver, especially when it came to her love and praise. For that, we are all so deeply blessed. We are also comforted knowing she is now dancing with the love of her life of more than 44 years, Herman - she certainly carried forward his motto to “leave the woodpile higher than you found it.”

The family thanks those who cared for Patsy, including Community Hospice and many personal caregivers that she came to love as much as they loved her.

Patsy was preceded in death by her husband, Herman Smith, and her son-in-law, Steven Weinberg, along with other special family members and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Patsy on February 7, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at White’s Chapel Methodist Church with a reception following at Evans Hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Baylor University: Hankamer School of Business – Patsy R. Smith Scholarship for Women in Business; Dallas Baptist University – The Patsy R. Smith Scholarship; or Home Builders Institute – The Herman and Patsy Smith Charitable Foundation Endowment.