Michael D. Smith

Michael Doyne Smith, 80, passed away early Wednesday morning, February 26th, 2025, at his home in Houston, Texas after a three year battle with Interstitial Lung Disease. Mike, lovingly known as “Pops”, was born on July 24, 1944, in Jonesboro, Arkansas to Helen and A.D. Smith. While growing up, Mike’s family lived in Jonesboro, AR, Nashville, TN, Knoxville, TN, and New Orleans, LA before finally settling down in Houston, Texas in January of 1961. The Smith family were founding members of Westbury Baptist Mission, meeting at Cynthia Ann Parker Elementary School, which later became Westbury Baptist Church in its present location. Mike was also in the first graduating class of Westbury High School in May 1962.

In 1963, Mike met Birdie Marie Harris while working together at the A&P grocery store. They started dating soon afterward, fell in love and married in December 1964. They had three children together: David, Ricky and Barbara. In those early years, times were tough. Mike would work multiple jobs to make ends meet including overnight grocery shelf stocking, inventory counting, auto repair, and even owned a parking lot striping business. In 1968, he took a pay cut to work for Phillip Morris because the company gave him benefits for his young, growing family. During the first year Mike continued to work night shifts at Allen’s Minimax grocery to earn extra money, before being transferred to San Antonio and being promoted to Area Manager. His outgoing personality led to success in sales and was later hired by Whitman’s Chocolates, where he would become a national sales leader. In nine years at Whitman’s, he was #1 in sales four years in a row and a total of 5 times. Mike left Whitman’s to work for a friend who owned Hous‐Tex Vending helping to build it into a highly profitable business. Mike would later decide to go to massage therapy school and upon graduating he used his sales skills for more entrepreneurial endeavors, buying Houston Muscle Care, a massage clinic and turning that venture into a thriving business. A few years later Mike took Therapeutic Services of the Southwest to become one of the most successful specialized therapy companies in Texas. TSSW continues to grow and provide much needed services 27 years later.

In March of 1991, Mike’s wife Birdie passed away at the age of 52 from cancer. Later Mike met Betty Warren, who has been the devoted love of his life for the past 30+ years.

Despite all of his success nothing compared to the job he loved most– being a grandfather. He loved, doted on and supported all 10 of his grandchildren, learning to love each one in a different and special way.

Mike loved Dairy Queen blizzards, Weimar sausage, Blue Bell Vanilla Ice Cream, snow skiing, driving the boat and pulling his kids and grandkids on water skis, smoking ribs, traveling, Denzel Washington movies – especially The Equalizer series, teaching life lessons, and most of all‐ telling jokes.

Mike is preceded in death by his wife, Birdie and parents, Helen and A.D. Smith.

He is survived by his loving partner, Betty Warren; Brother Patrick Smith, his wife Jeannette; Son, Dave and his wife Molly, grandchildren Harrisen, Jenny, Payton, and Luella; Son, Rick Smith, wife Tara, and their children Adam, Bethany, Brooke, and Asa; Daughter, Barbara Carter and her children Becca and Abbey Carter.

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Visitation will be held Sunday, March 2, 2025 from 2:00‐5:00PM at Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home.

Graveside Service and Burial will be held Monday, March 3, 2025 at 1pm at Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home.

Celebration of Life Service will be held Monday, March 3, 2025 at 6:30PM at Westbury Baptist Church.

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In Lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Westbury Baptist Church Day School Designated Fund, or The American Lung Association

Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home 12800 Westheimer Road

Houston, TX 77077

Westbury Baptist Church

10425 Hillcroft St.

Houston, TX 77096