Patsy passed away April 27, 2019, in Dallas, Texas, after a long and full life. She was born April 28, 1930, in Myrtle Springs, Texas. She was the 6th of 17 children born to Nellie Mae (Parker) and John Edward Simmons. Her family were members of the Myrtle Springs Methodist Church. On March 17, 1950, she married A.T. Smith, Jr., and settled in Dallas. In her later years, she attended the Axe Memorial United Methodist Church.
Patsy’s hands were always busy. As a child, she worked to help her family by picking cotton. As a mother, she was a meticulous housekeeper with a place for everything and everything in its place. She was also a wonderful cook and baker. Vegetables from her garden added to her family’s table and to the tables of many of her friends and neighbors. Last year, alone, she had over 100 tomato plants. When her family was grown, selling her canned goods (including wonderful tomatoes, jams, and pickles) as well as the pecans she had gathered and shelled, added to her livelihood and kept her moving.
When the work was done, there was fun to be had and help to be given. Patsy loved doing things outdoors and fishing was a favorite past time -- whether it was patiently waiting for crappie or catfish in Texas or riding the choppy waters of Puget Sound searching for salmon. One year, she brought two suitcases full of frozen whole salmon home to can and couldn’t have been happier. She was an accomplished bowler and was on a bowling league for over 60 years. On Friday nights, she played 31 with her friends at the John Franklin Sprague VFW Post #6796. On Sundays back in the day, you would likely find her watching America’s football team, the Dallas Cowboys. More recently, she would be found winning at Bingo. Given the opportunity, there was occasionally a penny slot machine with her name on it. Patsy volunteered for decades through the post to help in her community. She was a longtime member of the Ladies’ Auxiliary Club and she was also a member of the Oakleaf Grandmother's Club. Now, her work is done and her hands are at rest.
Patsy is preceded in death by her parents John and Nellie Simmons, her husband A.T. Smith, Jr., her son Leslie Smith, and her siblings Devon, Jerry, Harry, Bill, Johnnie, Jewell, Shirley, Jack, Temple, and Ronnie. She is survived by her sisters Helen, Jean, Linda, and Sandy, her daughter Elaine Smith Hanken and husband Jerry Hanken, her son Scott Smith, her granddaughter Melanie Hanken Myers and husband Oren Myers, her grandson Jeremy Hanken and wife Megan Hanken, and her beloved great-grandchildren Ellie and Jacob Myers, and Emily and Maxwell Hanken. She was loved and will be missed and remembered by all who knew her.
Please join Patsy’s family for a visit and refreshments following the service.
1225 Glendon Dr.
Forney, TX 75126
In lieu of flowers, you may send contributions to the cancer treatment or veteran support charity of your choice.
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