Margaret A Smith

Margaret Ann (Brown) Smith, 90, passed away February 5, 2021 in Burnet County after a brief illness. Margaret was born August 16, 1930 in rural Ewing Community, Coryell County, Texas (now North Fort Hood) to John Carl Brown and Alma Lula (Dude) Robinson Brown.

In 1942, as with many other families, the military moved in to take over land that had been in the Brown family for five generations, since 1854. The family moved to Jonesboro, Texas for a short time before settling on new land near Lometa, Texas in 1945. Margaret graduated from Lometa High School in 1948. She graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education, then earned a Master’s Degree from The University of Texas. She married Johnnie Clifton Smith in Lometa on October 17, 1953. After marriage, they moved to Burnet, Texas where she and Johnnie were longtime school teachers; Margaret teaching in High School, and Johnnie later as the principal of Burnet Jr. High. Their only son, Clifton Carl (Clif) Smith, was born August 23, 1958 in Burnet.

Margaret and Johnnie enjoyed travelling throughout their life together. She loved to reminisce about their adventures to all 50 states, as well as their trips to other countries. Her curiosity and love of life, people, and current events never faded in her 90 years.

Education was so very important to Margaret and she loved all of her students dearly. Even after many years of retirement, she could recall her student’s names as well as their parent’s and sibling’s and even the year they graduated. When she met a stranger, she would immediately ask their name and where they lived.

Margaret was a faithful member of The Burnet Baptist Church and was able to still attend after Johnnie’s passing because of her faithful friend, Sara Johnson, who picked her up every Sunday from Country Oaks Assisted Living.

Margaret was an active member of the Teacher Retirement Association of Texas and was a very active member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society for 63 years. She was also involved for many years with the Herman Brown Free Library and volunteered at the Burnet Library Thrift Shop.

Margaret is survived by her niece, Melody Ball, of Lampasas and family; her cousin, Jeff George, and his wife, Lou Nelle of Midland and family; her cousin, Susan Harrison, and her husband, Bo of Wimberly and family; her cousin, Sheryl Dunlap, and her husband, Bobby of Waco and family; her cousin, Cathy Taylor, and her husband, Dennis of Gatesville and family; as well as other nieces, nephews and cousins. She is preceded in death by her husband, Johnnie, and her son, Clif.

The family sends heartfelt thanks to Margaret’s niece, Melody, for years of special help and loving care of Margaret, as well as the staff of Country Oaks Assisted Living where she resided for over six years. Margaret made many treasured friends at Country Oaks who became as dear to her as family. We will all miss her loving heart, quick wit, and endless stories.