Patricia Lorraine Smith

Patricia Lorraine Smith, 76, of Houston, Texas, passed away peacefully on June 6, 2025. She was born on a US Navy base in Newfoundland, Canada, to David and Lorraine Sharp. The daughter of a proud Senior non-commissioned Naval officer, her family would establish roots in Pensacola, Florida, where she met the love of her life, Thomas Garland Smith, Jr., on a destined day at the Navy Exchange where she worked. Tom, a Naval officer himself, upon meeting Patti, turned to his friend and said, “That’s the woman I am going to marry.” Six months later, that became reality. Married for 57 years, they would raise four children: Tom-Tom, Shane, Kimberly, and Matthew.

Patti’s most enduring legacy was her role as the cornerstone of the Smith family; always there to give advice and guidance to her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends, family members, and even random passersby. A strong matron, she treated everyone with dignity, respect, and compassion. At the same time she also forged an accomplished career as Vice President of a thriving Houston-based personnel firm.

Possessing a keen sense of humor, she was not known to be the best cook and owned it. However, she developed a catalog of culinary masterpieces, including classic spaghetti, savory chicken and rice, ooey-gooey macaroni and cheese, tart and tangy cherry pies, and the most-revered lemon meringue pies. Maternal in every sense, she lovingly gifted her pies to family on their birthdays, a tradition we all held dear, year after year. She will be greatly missed.

Survivors include her loving husband Thomas G. Smith Jr., of Houston, TX; son Thomas G. Smith III and his wife Tanja, of Tomball, TX; son David Shane Smith and his wife Kathlene, of Montgomery, TX; daughter Kimberly N. Smith, of Missouri City, TX; son Matthew Smith and his wife Ashley of Conroe, TX; best friend Kelley Langer of Houston, TX, godchild Erinn Langer and her husband Chris Sweeney of Houston, TX; grandchildren Brianna Deantes, Chance Smith, Christina Nelson, Seth Gunderson, Elizabeth Gunderson, Davis Smith, Tommy Smith, Isabel Smith-Willhouse, Audrianna Smith, Matthew Smith Jr., Savannah Smith, Beau Smith, Thea Sweeney, Beckham Sweeney; great-grandchildren Juniper Deantes, Caelum Deantes, Rory Gunderson, Charlette Smith, Elliott Smith, Drew Nelson, and Sadie Mae Nelson.

Visitation services will be held from 4:00 – 6:00 pm, Thursday, June 12, at Brookside Funeral Home-Cypress, 9149 Highway 6 North, Houston, TX.