Geraldine "Gerri" (Clark) Smith Watts

Geraldine E. "Gerri" Smith Watts was born in Daisetta, Texas on Friday, the 22nd of September 1922, to George E. and Della Rhodes Clark. She passed away peacefully in Houston, Texas on Saturday, the 14th of January 2012, at the age of 89.

At the age of 3, Gerri experienced the death of her mother. She spent many of her younger years living in Louisiana with her aunts and cousins before moving back to Port Arthur, Texas. Gerri attended St. Mary's High School and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School at the early age of 15. She then attended Texas State College for Women. In 1940, Gerri married Walter R. Smith and they were blessed with three children, Gayle, Michael and Clark. After Walter's death, she continued to live in Port Arthur until the late 1960’s when she moved to Houston.

Throughout her lifetime, Gerri held various jobs in sales and bookkeeping before working in the travel industry which was her favorite. She loved to travel and took many trips to various places in the United States and abroad. Gerri also enjoyed playing bridge and reading. For over twenty years she was an active member of St. Jerome Catholic Church, serving in many capacities.

George and Gerri originally met when they both attended St. Mary’s High School. They reacquainted at their 50th Class Reunion. That meeting and subsequent marriage over 24 years ago brought the most joy to her life. Living with and caring for George made her very happy. They had a beautiful, wonderful life together. She was a devoted, loving wife, mother, and grandmother and a dedicated, caring homemaker. She cherished her family and friends.

Gerri was preceded in death by her father, George E. Clark in 1979, mother, Della (Rhodes) Clark in 1926, step mother, Gladys M. (Landry) Clark in 1999, first husband, Walter R. Smith in 1964, son, Clark James Smith, Sr. in 1988, grandson, Michael George Smith, Jr. in 1977 and step daughter, Leigh Heller in 2009. She is survived by her beloved husband, George A. Watts; her loving children: daughter, Gayle (Smith) Watler and husband Kenneth and son, Michael G. Smith and wife Sandra. Also surviving are Gerri's step daughter, Geralyn Bush and husband Rick, step son-in-law, Bruce Heller, thirteen grandchildren and step grandchildren, nineteen great grandchildren, numerous other loving family members and dear friends.

Family and friends gathered for a visitation in the chapel of Waltrip Funeral Directors, 1415 Campbell Road in Houston, Texas, on Tuesday, the 17th of January from six until eight o'clock in the evening, where The Rosary was recited at seven o'clock by Deacon Dan O'Dowd of St. Jerome Catholic Church.

The Funeral Liturgy was conducted by Reverend Joe Doran in the sanctuary of St. Jerome Catholic Church, 8825 Kempwood Drive in Houston, on Wednesday, the 18th of January at ten o'clock in the morning.

Following a light reception at the church, family and friends gathered once again at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 3900 Twin City Highway in Groves, Texas, where The Rite of Committal was conducted at three o'clock in the afternoon by Reverend D. Stephen McCrate of St, Joseph Catholic Church in Port Arthur.

Rather than flowers, the family would greatly appreciate your making a memorial contribution, in Gerri's name, to a good cause of your choosing.