Molly Essary Smith

Molly Essary Smith passed away on the morning of the 8th of July 2025 as a result of a tragic fall at her home in Wisconsin. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, mentor, counselor and…. friend.

Molly was born in Houston Texas on the 18th of January 1957. She was the fourth daughter of Dawson Herman Essary and Mary Emily Graham Essary. She is preceded in death by her parents. Molly’s grandparents were among the original founders of Galena Park Texas where they made their mark in church and in their community.

Molly attended Galena Park High School following behind her sisters in school (a hard job she would claim). Molly, and her three sisters - the “YaYa’s” - Diana Kurten (Jimmy), Deborah Parrott (Mike), and Candy Sherbert, attended Galena Park High School. There, they were known as the “Essary Sisters”, and they were a formidable foursome!

Molly next attended San Jacinto Junior College and, while there, became a member of the “San-Jans” marching drill team.

Representing LaPorte and Bayshore Texas she competed and won the opportunity to advance and compete in the Miss Texas Contest. Along with her win, she received a scholarship and attended Texas A&M as a philosophy major. (Carroll learned quickly you could never out debate a “deep thinker”). Molly finished her studies and received a degree from the University of Houston Clear Lake.

In 1979 Molly married Jimmie (Chip) Maness. They moved to Deer Park, Texas to raise three grateful children, Mary Kathryn (Katy) Maness-Kerbow, Candace Lauren Winton, and Jimmie (Ryan) Maness. Katy welcomed a daughter Emily Nicole Cotton and son Easton James Kerbow, and Candace’s son Logan Ethington. Candace is married to Ronald Dale Winton.

Molly became involved with government service working for Commissioner Jim Fonteno. In 1988 she began her first term in an unopposed elected run of twenty years as Justice of the Peace in Precinct 8. Her forte - and passion - was her work in truancy and juvenile issues. During her twenty years she touched thousands of lives and truly saved many.

While serving as a Judge and Mother, Molly found time to serve on the Boards of most every civic organization in the community. Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, Deer Park Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club as a Paul Harris Fellow, the YMCA, The Bridge over Troubled Waters, Sarah’s House, the Pasadena and Deer Park Education Foundations, Camp H-Town, teaching Judges all across Texas, and over a decade as Emcee, singer, and entertainer at the Hometown Opry. Most recently she has participated on the San Jacinto College Foundation Board to insure that any young person seeking secondary education cannot be limited by a lack of resources.

After twenty five years in the political arena, in 2008, she retired and became a Funeral Director. She ministered to people and families at a time of their deepest need and was remarkably supportive and comforting to them at their time of need.

In 2014 Molly married Carroll Smith, owner of Monument Chevrolet. Carroll brought to the family two sons, W.C. and Brandon Smith and their wives Catherine and Erin and their children, W.C.’s Ashley and Lauren and Brandon’s Charlotte, Ethan, and Julia. So, together, Molly and Carroll have five children and eight grandchildren.

Molly and Carroll quickly found their passion of travel. She said that her daddy always said “never miss a chance to go anywhere because you just don’t know what you’ll find”. So, even after making all seven continents, Molly always claimed that her bag was packed for more.

Molly had the most wonderful gift of passion, caring, and giving. Anyone who has known her carries her gift forever.

Friends are cordially invited to gather with the family and celebrate memories of Molly during a visitation from five o’clock in the afternoon until eight o'clock in the evening on Friday the 25th of July at Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

A funeral service is to be conducted at eleven o'clock in the morning on Saturday, the 26th of July in the Chapel at First Baptist Church, 7500 Fairmont Parkway in Pasadena, where the Reverend Dr. Jon Redmond is to officiate.

The family will gather for a private inurnment at a later date.

Flowers in honor of Molly are encouraged or memorial contributions may be directed to The San Jacinto College Foundation or Camp H-Town be selecting the link below under "Donations".