Louise Roberts Smith, of North Richland Hills, TX, passed away on Sunday, November 29, 2020 in Bedford, TX at the age of 98. She will always be remembered as a loving mother, sister, Grandmother/Meme and friend to all that knew and loved her. She was born on March 28, 1922 in Haleyville, Alabama to Thomas and Myrtle Roberts and was the oldest of their seven children.
Louise met and married Lloyd “Smitty” Smith April 22, 1945 while Smitty was stationed in the army in Talladega, Alabama during World War II. Louise’s father was not fond at all of his first born dating and definitely not marrying the “Yankee from Kansas” but over the years he grew to love and cherish Smitty as his son-in-law. Smitty and Louise were blessed with their first born, Don, while still living in Alabama, then Smitty left the Army and moved his family to Stanley, Kansas and later to Kansas City, Missouri where they raised their four children.
Tragedy struck in 1956 with the death of their daughter, Nancy Kay, to Leukemia at the age of 6. Louise and Smitty gained strength to overcome their loss with their faith in Jesus Christ and the support of Pastor Steers and many loving friends at Santa Fe Hills Baptist Church in Kansas City. It was at Santa Fe Hills and during this tragic time a life-long friendship with Jack and Shirley Martin developed and continued until their deaths.
In 1956 Louise began her 27-year career at the Bendix Corporation (now Honeywell) in Kansas City, Missouri. Bendix provided Louise with a very fulfilling career working with blueprints and precision soldering/assembling of parts for the US space program.
After retirement in 1983, Louise and Smitty moved to Texas to be near their three children and their families and resided in the H-E-B area for 37 years. Louise never lost her Alabama accent and southern charm over the years. She was known for her wonderful southern cooking, her engaging smile, beautiful hand-made quilts and her deep love for her family and dear friends and her strong faith.
Louise is survived by two of her siblings, John Roberts of Haleyville, Alabama and Laura Wiggins of Pelham, Alabama, her three children, Don (Connie) Smith of Osceola, Missouri, Cindy (Dale) Jackson of North Richland Hills, TX and Mark (Teri) Smith of Hurst, TX. Five grandchildren Daryl Smith, Darrin Smith, Brian (Tori) Jackson, Brenda (Jerry) Durham and Aaron Smith, along with seven great grandchildren, Shelby, Casey, Haylee, Hannah, Preston Smith and 2020 twins, Adam and Veronica Durham. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 70 years, Lloyd “Smitty” Smith, daughter, Nancy Smith, parents Thomas and Myrtle Roberts and siblings Billy Frank Roberts, Eva Wilson, Evelyn Nichols and Alene Donaldson.
The visitation will be held from 12:30 – 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 3, 2020 at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home Chapel with a Funeral Service beginning at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow immediately at Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park.
Pall Bearers: Daryl Smith, Darrin Smith, Aaron Smith, Brian Jackson, Dale Jackson and Jerry Durham.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia or Alzheimer Foundations.
PALLBEARERS
Aaron SmithPallbearer
Daryl SmithPallbearer
Darran SmithPallbearer
Brian JacksonPallbearer
Jerry DurhamPallbearer
Dale JacksonPallbearer
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