Martha Ann Smith

Martha Ann Smith, née Cotten was born on July 24th , 1930 and passed from this life on August 7, 2026. Her father Eddie and mother Clem Cotten had limited economic resources, and the usual associated concerns were compounded by a father who struggled with substance abuse issues and a mother with a severe heart problem brought on by rheumatic fever. She had an older sister Doris and an older brother Charles. A younger sister, Shirley Ruth, died at 18 months of age. The youngest brother is Lee Roy, 8 years her junior.

Despite ongoing economic struggles, she was fortunate to have an aunt Eva and uncle Sy, with somewhat more financial resources, who lived in New Orleans and would often bring her down on the train to spend parts of summers with them. She developed a special fondness for all things New Orleans, save the spicy Cajun/Creole cuisine. Her family can attest that highly spiced foods were never among her favorites.

She married at age 19 to Richard Smith, who was in the Air Force stationed at Carswell Air Base. They raised 3 children in Fort Worth- Les, Sharon, and Sandy. Martha worked for the Fort Worth ISD for many years before going to work for her husband Richard's moving business. They were active church members, where they developed many close and lasting friends. She was very interested and involved with her 5 grandchildren's various activities, and would often attend their events. She and Richard traveled around the country, which she enjoyed tremendously.

Martha, Richard and family moved around more frequently than many, but almost exclusively in the DFW area. When he became terminally ill, they moved into assisted living, where she developed many new friends, and volunteered for various roles at the facility and with the tenant’s association. She maintained her family activities and interests to the degree that she was able, throughout her 80s and into her 90s. Her spirituality, compassion, intolerance of injustice, and family commitment will be greatly missed.

She was predeceased by her husband Richard, daughter Sandy Burns, son-in-law Ted Nolen, sister Doris Kildow and her husband Bill, and brother Charles and his wife Eloise. She is survived by her son Les and his wife Ellie Plukas-Smith, daughter Sharon Nolen, son-in-law Jerry Burns, brother Lee Roy and his wife Mary Cotten, along with 5 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, and many nephews, nieces and their children.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the National Brain Tumor Society, headquartered in Newton, Massachusetts.