Our mother, Marlus Jean Smith, of Bryan, passed into the arms of Jesus on Friday, April 9, at The Isle of Watercrest in Bryan, Texas. Her children, Lynn Smith, Sheryl Smith Lampo and husband Frank, and Robby Smith were at her bedside. Mama was born in Batavia, Iowa, on August 13, 1930 to Wando Emerson and Allene Elizabeth Padget.
She graduated from Batavia High School. Although her friends affectionately called her Little Bit or Small Fry, she defied her short stature by earning her letter in basketball. She met our daddy, Bob Smith, at a diner in nearby Ottumwa, Iowa where Mama was the cute sassy waitress. They married in 1948, and moved to Houston, TX as a family with two baby daughters in 1951. Upon moving to Bryan in 1958, they established their church home at Central Baptist Church.
Mama lived a full, beautiful life devoted entirely to her family. Her sorrows were few, and her blessings many. Although she lost her father, an evangelist, when she was only 12 years old, by the time she met Daddy, she had grown strong with a faith in the Lord her dad would have been proud of. We had noticed during this last decade that her thoughts and memories had been softened by the gentle patina of old age.
Her friends later in life, especially the Red Hatters and the RV group, knew her as the life of the party. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren knew her as G.G., a name she gave herself one day while traveling back to Iowa on a family vacation in the car, packed with too many whining kids. At some point along the way, Mama got a little cranky, and by the time we arrived in Iowa, she was referring to herself as Grandma Grunch, thus G.G.
We children and grandchildren remember her as our fierce protector and provider of the. best. meals. ever. Mama was the queen of craft projects, delving into all types of crafting. She once created a beautiful very large rooster made of dried beans, mounted on black velvet and framed; and we loved it. Good job, Mama. She was one of the best at decorating the home at Christmastime. She and Daddy also stayed busy in retirement traveling around the country antiquing. Some say antiques, some say junk. Alas, we are the beneficiaries of those expeditions. Anyone desperately seeking 288 Beanie Babies? Have we got a deal for you.
Mama’s most notable obsession, though, was collecting recipes and cookbooks. We were the extremely grateful beneficiaries of that lifetime endeavor. Out of all the housewifery fun, Mama’s preference was baking and cooking. Sometime during the 60’s, she won a Pillsbury Cook-off contest of the Brazos Valley. We can’t remember that particular recipe. We do, however, know the secret recipe for her Lake Belton Beans which she prepared every weekend during our summers at the lake. Now, this brings to mind other less-dignified contests. She refused to sign up for those.
Mama was preceded in death by Daddy in 2014, her parents, and her only brother, Bernie.
Marlus is survived by her daughter Lynn Smith, daughter Sheryl Smith Lampo (Frank) and son, Robby Smith. Grandchildren Jill Smith-Mott (Eric), Katy Wheat (Wayne), Brad Smith, Matt Lampo, Marcy Lampo Porrata (Adrian), Robby Stephany Smith, Kayley Smith Roderick (Ryan) and Brandon Smith. She is also survived by great-grandchildren Anna Olsta, Jake Olsta, Charli Smith, Avery Smith, Eli Porrata, Gabe Porrata, and Bryce Roderick.
We are so grateful that Mama and Daddy taught us to trust and depend on God’s Holy word. Both parents are gone from our sight but their examples of a Christ-centered life will live in our hearts forever. We miss Mama terribly already. She was late everywhere she went. Until now. God said I have your place ready, and she arrived precisely on time. Way to go, Mama.
Services will be held Wednesday April 14, 2021 in The Gathering Room at Central Church in Bryan, TX. Visitation will begin at 1:00 pm, with the service starting at 2:00 pm. Marlus Jean Smith will be laid to rest in the College Station City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Aggieland Humane Society, 5359 Leonard Rd., Bryan, TX 77807 or aggielandhumane.org.
We sincerely thank the staff at The Isle of Watercrest for the care and love they gave Mama.
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