Martha Florence Smith

Martha Florence Gentry Smith often talked about when the Lord would come to take her home. He did in the early afternoon hours of Saturday, December 9, 2017. She was 94. Martha was born in Hickory Grove, Oklahoma to James Lesley Gentry and Ollie Mae (Parris) Gentry on February 19, 1923.

Martha had fond memories of growing up on a farm and being a “country girl.” That really meant that she was loving, kind, and generous to a fault with absolutely no pretense. Growing up during the Great Depression made a lasting impression on her and helping others was her second nature and one of her biggest pleasures.

Martha was captain of the basketball team while at Fairview High School. She loved that the team traveled to play other schools. When anyone would ask her what position she played, she would quickly smile and tell them that she played guard.

While at Fairview High School, Martha met Woodrow Smith. They were married July 31, 1940 and celebrated 69 years together until his death in 2010. In 1943, while they were both very young, Woodrow joined the US Navy and was heavily involved during World War II in the South Pacific while Martha was keeping the home fires burning with three small children.

Martha was working throughout her life to make things better. She did. For all of us. It has recently been written about her by her granddaughter that she was grateful, smart and deliberate in caring for her family...always finding the will and a way. Living life as a faithful Christian, always finding the cloud's silver lining....teaching her children to face adversity and to persevere.

Our mother was a very dear and kind person and we will always hold her close. When leaving her in recent months, just for the day, she would always say, “Don't forget me” with a big smile. The response would be emphatically, “Not a chance, Mama.”

Martha was predeceased by her husband, Woodrow Smith; daughter, Mary Jane Smith; Her parents, James Lesley and Ollie Mae Gentry; her siblings, Beaulah Terry, Lucille Carson, Elmer Gentry, Goldie Russell, Sylvia Wilson, Edward Gentry and Wilma Sanders.

Survivors include: Son, Barney Smith and wife, Norma of Houston; Daughter, Lena Davis and husband, Joel of New Braunfels; Son, Ronnie Smith of Austin; Daughter, Susan Deason and husband, Therman of Georgetown, and Daughter Julie Petrus of San Marcos. Martha's sister, Rose Evans of Abilene, also survives her as well as many beautiful grandchildren who will honor and cherish their grandmother's memory. She was so proud of each and every one of them.

Services are scheduled at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home in Pflugerville, Texas for Thursday, December 14, 2017 starting with visitation at 2:00 p.m. and the funeral service to begin at 3:30 p.m. A reception will immediately follow the service. She will be laid to rest with our dad at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery.