Berdie Marie Smith went to be with her Lord on May 21, 2020. She died at her home surrounded by family and friends. She was 93 years old. Berdie was born in Marlin, Texas on September 28, 1926. She was preceded in death by her parents, N. B. Smith and Sallie (Vann) Smith, a sister, Ruby Fillip and brother-in-law George Fillip; brother, Wilburn Raymond (Red) Smith and a brother-in-law, E. C. Hallmark and nephew, Tommy Tate. She is survived by a sister, Christine Hallmark and nephews, David Smith, Bert Smith, Steve Fillip, and Bart Hallmark. Also, nieces, Anita (Fillip) Tate, Sally (Fillip) Smith and her husband Carl Smith, Velvet Hallmark and Christi (Hallmark) Miller as well as a number of cousins and friends. She also had a large number of great nieces and nephews.
Following high school in Marlin, Berdie attended Texas State Collegefor Women (TSCW) in Denton, Texas and completed her Bachelor’s Degree. Later she attended Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas where she earned a Master’s Degree. Her career as an elementary school teacher continued for 36 years. Most of that time she taught in Cypress Fairbanks school system near Houston, Texas.
After she retired from teaching Berdie moved back to her hometown of Marlin and lived with her mother until her mother’s death. She was active in her community. She was on the board of the Palace Theater Organization and active in Delta Kappa Gamma teacher’s group as well as the local chapter of retired teachers. She participated in the Christian Ladies Fellowship for many years at the First Christian Church in Marlin where she attended regularly up until her death.
Berdie loved to read and be with friends and family. She loved to travel. Through the years she was able to visit 48 states in our country. She also traveled overseas to many European countries with her sister, Christine. Though she had no children of her own, she loved to entertain her many nephews and nieces and took them on many trips with her.
Pallbearers at her service include: Stephen Fillip, Bart Hallmark, Dean Tate, Drew Tate, Adam Tate and Willie (Bam) Tillis. Honorary pallbearers are David Smith, Bert Smith, Charles Ray Evans and Tommy Joe Davis.
