Mom was born May 4, 1932 in Iredell, Texas and baptized in the Bosque River. She was the last living of eight children. Her father, Winston Davis Perkins and her mother Minnie Lee Kincannon, made their living off the land with the help of their children.
Her brother Jack was the oldest, he contracted polio and wasn’t able to help much. The next four were girls; Willie May “Sue”, Elna Faye, Reba Nell and Ruth Ellen. They all worked like men on the farm. Then came mom, Ruby Tressie. Being the youngest girl, she had her papa, and everyone else wrapped around her little finger. An instigator of mischief, she tells of putting rocks in her tow sack when she picked cotton, so it would weigh more! Next born was Frank, a little tyke who could cuss and handle a team of horses as good as the men. Lastly Charles, shy and introverted.
Her mother died of cancer when Tressie was 12. Her papa did the best he could, for as long as he could, but just couldn’t see after the young children properly. Tressie, Frank and Charles went to live at Buckner’s Orphanage in Ft. Worth. Tressie stayed long enough to get the boys settled, and then took off for greener pastures. She had nothing but fond memories at Buckner’s, and regretted she left like she did.
Our dad, Mom’s soul mate, Albert P. Smith or “AP” as he was often called, was a top notch pipe liner. They met at a hang out in Houston and married in 1955.She loved traveling with him and made a home where ever the jobs took them. When their children started school, Tressie put down roots while AP traveled the United States and abroad, sending home every pay check for the his family.
She was one of a kind, independent, head strong and did an extraordinary job taking care of the household. When dad retired, she loved working beside him, especially with cows and bailing hay. He would cut, she would rake. Mom enjoyed playing bridge, 42, volunteering to do taxes and working at Kroger’s. She had a green thumb, and loved working in the yard. She always stayed busy, she taught us strict work ethics, and always do the job right the first time, because if not, she would check it and make you do it again.
In 2010 her soul mate passed away after 55 years of marriage. Mom had a long hard row to hoe, and our hearts ached for her every day.
Left behind are her son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Nancy Smith of Colorado Springs, CO. and their children, Justin, Jenna and Jason; daughter and son-in-law, Dennie Jo and Gary Bollinger of Bryan and their children, Melissa Buchanan and husband Spencer, Carrie Kindt and husband Ryan; and two great-grandchildren, Tinley and Eli. We love you deeply.
It is our sincere prayer that mom and dad have been united again, in all the glory heaven has to offer. Mom will be laid to rest beside our father, her love, at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Robertson County, Texas. Graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 4 at the cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 – 7 p.m. Friday at Memorial Funeral Chapel in Bryan.
Our family would like to thank the staff at Crestview and Hospice Brazos Valley for their Tender Loving Care in the last precious days. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Crestview or Hospice Brazos Valley.
