In her 98 years Harriet led a wonderful life. She spent her childhood in Houston, Texas with her parents and her siblings Martha, George, and John. She would tell stories of her childhood in Houston, living in a one bedroom house, sleeping on the screened in porch in the summer, visiting the old Post Oak, and helping to care for the orphaned babies that her mother would take in. She had memories of the Great Depression and World War II that shaped her childhood and young adulthood. She was bold and brave from an early age, taking a train ride from Houston to Hollywood soon after her high school graduation with her best friend Virgina to see the Pacific Ocean and movie stars.
Soon after the end of World War II she met her husband Glennard Lyle Smith in Fort Bend, Texas and they married on June 26, 1948. She had four children; Darrell Lynn, Cheryl Darlene, Sandra Denise, and Carol Darice. They spent their early years as a family living all around the world as Glenn continued his service in the United States Air Force including France, Germany, and various posts around the United States.
At the end of Glenn’s service of over 30 years they settled in Cedar Creek, Texas in 1985. Harriet continued her service as secretary to the general’s office at Austin-Bergstrom Air Force Base until her retirement.
Harriet and Glenn lived out their retirement years in their Cedar Creek home spending time with their family that had grown to include six grandchildren and started to include great grandchildren. They loved to attend the countless number of plays, dance recitals, band performances, and graduations of their grandchildren. Always letting them know how much they were loved and how proud they were. They continued to travel abroad and within the United States and loved spending time with lifelong friends playing cards or dominos. Harriet was happiest when she was hosting large get togethers and parties and surrounded by those she loved. After 61 years of marriage, Glenn passed away on November 9, 2009.
Harriet continued to live a life full of love for her family and for a good party. Her 90th birthday party included over 100 people, a live band, a lot of dancing, and great food. At that point she had seven great grandchildren with the last one on the way. Her greatest wish was always for all of her family to know how much she loved us and for us to live big, full lives.
Harriet is preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, her husband, and her son Darrell Smith. She is survived by her daughters; Cheryl Smith, Sandra Smith, and Carol Loncola, her grandchildren; Heather Barfield, Eros Smith, Sanya Lolly, Lesley Brooks, Stacey Bigler, and Susan Burke, and her great grandchildren; Rhett Lolly, Natalie Burke, Forest Cole, Reese Lolly, Lucy Burke, Nolan Murphree, Connor Burke, and Jake Murphree.
Harriet’s service and reception will take place at 1:00pm on December 12th, 2024 at Cook Walden Chapel of the Hills at 9700 Anderson Mill Road, Austin, TX. She will be laid to rest with her beloved husband at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, TX.
