Jodie Smith

Jodie Smith went home to be with her God on Monday, September 22, 2008. She was born August 23, 1925 and christened Margaret Jo Simmons, the only child of Arbie and John Simmons. Shortly after her birth, her favorite uncle said she needed a prettier name and decided to call her Jodie and that's been her name ever since. Jodie was born in Austin, but grew up in Amarillo where she and her future husband, Dave Smith, attended Amarillo High School together. Jodie and Dave never dated in high school, but were close friends. It was not until after the war, when Dave returned from service in the Army Air Corp, that they were re-united at The University of Texas. They dated through college and were married on September 1, 1947. Jodie graduated with honors from UT in 1948 with a double major in Psychology and Sociology. Jodie and her husband opened a public relations firm in Austin which she ran while Dave worked in radio and television. Jodie always insisted on being home in the afternoons when their only son, David, returned from school so she could spend time with him and prepare their evening meal. When David was young and shopped with his mother, she would rarely allow him to buy a useless toy or trinket that would soon be forgotten, but always allowed him to buy a book. She considered reading and travel necessary to one's education…and travel they did. They motored across America and visited several foreign countries. Together they enjoyed many happy weekends and holidays at their ranch in Hays County, hiking, fishing and hunting with many friends. Active in her community, she was involved in all of the PTA programs at the schools that David attended and was a member of the Citizens Advisory Committee of the Travis County Juvenile Home where she also served as Chairman. Jodie served 42 years (recording over 1, 000 hours) as a volunteer with the St. David's Hospital Auxiliary, until ill health would no longer allow it. Having been a cancer survivor, she was for many years an instructor with the American Cancer Society's "Reach To Recovery" Program. Her husband, Dave, said many times that Jodie was the perfect mate, mother, co-worker, homemaker and best friend. She is survived by her beloved husband, Dave Smith, son, David, loving daughter-in law, Karen, and step-grandchildren, Catherine and Christopher. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 25, 2008 at Weed-Corley-Fish Chapel. Interment will follow at Austin Memorial Park. Jodie's wish was that any memorial contributions be made to her and Dave's favorite charity, Cal Farley's P.O. Box 1890, Amarillo, Texas 79174.