Leonard Joseph Smith

“Cock-a-doodle-doo!” My grandfather, Len, woke me the morning of December 19, 1990 bright and early. He had wonderful news: my sister Sarah entered the world earlier that morning. With a cheery chuckle and a joke, Len beamed at the birth of his third grandchild, just as he would over the years watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow-up. The month of December held other significance for Len. Thirty years before Sarah’s birthday, Len’s own daughter, Mundy (mother to Sarah), and son, Matthew, were born December 14, 1960. After many years celebrating new life, as well as grieving family losses, Leonard quietly passed away in his home December 21, 2015.

Leonard “Len” Joseph Smith was born April 5, 1930 to Mary Dorothy (Maiden: Bierch) Smith and Joseph Sylvester Smith. He was raised in St. Louis, Missouri with his older sister Rita Dorothy Smith. Len attended a catholic grade school and at the age of 15 was the first in his family to receive a high school diploma. After working on railroads in Missouri, he later moved to Memphis, Tennessee to work in sales. His career would lead him to work for the famous toy store, FAO Schwartz, which was fitting to Len’s playful nature. He never forgot the time he worked in the store’s 5th Avenue location in New York City.

In Memphis, Len met and married Margie Dee (Maiden: Janda) Smith and became a stepfather to James “Jimmy” Stevenson, Jr. and Michelee “Miche” (Maiden: Stevenson) Hughes. Len and Margie expanded their family with the birth of their twins, daughter Gabrielle “Mundy” Edmunda (Maiden: Smith) Parshall and son Matthew Smith. In 1970, Len, Margie, Mundy, and Matthew moved to Alief, Texas where Len and Margie operated a toy store. As Len’s family expanded with grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Len never missed a birthday, holiday, first communion, or dinner at Luby’s. He was a devoted grandfather and role model.

Leonard held membership with the Knights of Columbus and was an active member of the Notre Dame Catholic Church. In recent years, Len served as an extraordinary minister of the Holy Communion, delivering communion each week to a ministry of over 100 individuals with limited mobility or failing health. In the 2011-2012 fraternal year, he received the Knight of the Year recognition from his chapter council. His fellowship and faith played a significant role in his life and he served his community until the day he passed.

Margie Smith, Jimmy Stevenson, Miche Hughes, Matthew Smith and Mundy Parshall predecease Leonard. He is survived by his son-in-law Steven Parshall (64) of Houston, Texas, four grandchildren, Melinda Parshall (32) of Portland, Oregon, and Chris Parshall (30), Sarah Parshall (25), and Cecilia Parshall (22) of Houston, Texas, and two great-grandchildren, Graham Parshall (2) and Brynn Parshall (3 months) of Houston, Texas.