In the company of her family on Saturday morning, May 6, 2017, Lillie Mae Smith Richter, 100, answered her Lord and Savior's call, to come home. A native and lifelong resident of Austin, Lillie Mae was born at home, the youngest child of George and Mary Ellen (Foster) Smith. She attended Austin schools: Baker, Allan, and graduated from Austin High - a Loyal Forever Maroon! She began her career as a clerical assistant at the University of Texas, and worked for many years as a PBX operator at E.M. Scarbrough and Sons at 6th and Congress, and other retail establishments including Yarings, Dillards and Texas Gold Stamp Center.
In the summer of 1948, she met a handsome young man from Lee County over the backyard fence. Walter Richter would become the love of her life and share more than 64 years of Christian marriage. Together they enjoyed an active life gathering with family and friends, dancing at SPJST and Austin Saengerrunde, where Lillie Mae sang in the Damenchor for more than 27 years.
Lillie Mae served her family and her Lord as an active member at Christ Lutheran Church and longtime member at St Paul Lutheran Church, singing in the Adult Choir, member of the Lutheran Women's Missionary League, Dorcas, Altar Guild, Ruth Circle, Sunday school teacher and secretary.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers: Dan, John, Arnold and their spouses; brother, Frank; sister, Annie; nine Smith family nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Walter, his four sisters, Frieda, Ella, Lydia, Ruth and their spouses; his brother, Clarence “Champ”, and one nephew.
Lillie Mae is survived by her daughter, Carolyn; sister-in-law, Venettrice Richter; a host of Richter family nieces, nephews, extended family, friends and in her heart, the mother of many.
A celebration of Lillie Mae's life will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 3501 Red River Austin, TX 78705 at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, May 26, 2017, with The Rev. Dr. Mark Nuckols officiating. Memorials may be made to the St Paul Lutheran Church Handicapped Accessibility Improvements Fund or St Paul Lutheran Church Altar Guild.
Mrs. Richter will lay in state at Cook-Walden Funeral Home until the funeral on Friday.
Burial will follow at Austin Memorial Park, 2800 Hancock Dr., Austin, TX 78731. Arrangements under the direction and care of Cook -Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar, Austin, TX.
The family would like to express their sincere thanks to the medical staff, therapists, and assistants at Brookdale Spicewood Springs Rehab Center for the loving, professional care given to Lillie Mae over the five weeks of her successful recovery and rehabilitation. She was blessed with health in body and mind when the Lord added her new life.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18