Geraldine Lynell Smith

Geraldine Lynell Young Smith went home to be with the Lord on June 23, 2013 in Pearland, Texas. She was a member of the Greatest Generation and a true Steel Magnolia. She was deeply loved and will be greatly missed. She has been reunited with her beloved husband Albert Gorin Smith who was the love of her life. Gerry was born on December 11, 1923 in Kentwood, Louisiana and was doted on by her grandmother Theodosia Young. Her family moved to Houston when she was a teenager where she graduated from Milby High School in 1943 with honors. She had a mischievous sense of humor and many admirers. She worked at Ellington Air Force Base and San Jacinto Ordinance during World War II where she met a tall, handsome, Army Captain and chemical engineer from Texas A & M named Albert Gorin Smith. She was a beautiful and vivacious woman and Cupid shot his arrow in to the heart of her husband Al the first time he laid eyes upon her. They married in 1947 at Park Place Baptist Church in Houston and then moved to Port Arthur, Texas where Albert began a long career with Gulf Oil. They were married for sixty three years before Al passed away in 2010. Someone had to go first and she stayed to watch over the births of new great grandchildren and be the glue that held the family together after his passing.

She had Louisiana sass and raised six kids to always love one another, respect their elders, and be grateful for life’s blessings. Family was everything to her and she and Al taught their children character, honor, and tolerance by setting a fine example themselves. She had an open heart and always welcomed those who were introduced to her through family and friends. She dedicated her life to being a wife to her husband and a mother to her children, leaving behind all she was comfortable with in order to be with the people who mattered most in her life. She was very simply someone who was always fun to be around. The early years were spent making sure her kids were fed, clothed, and educated properly. Gerry was always involved with her kids as Camp Fire Girl leader, PTA mom and Little League baseball mom. A member of Beta Sigma Phi sorority, she was a constant support and encouragement to her children and taught them the values of perseverance and having a good education. She put others ahead of herself and her family was the center of her life. She had healing hands and took care of six kids who on occasion were sick at one time with chicken pox, measles or mumps.

The middle years were filled with making sure everyone experienced adventures in their travels and making lifetime memories. She was an oil executive’s wife and with her husband lived and travelled from Port Arthur to Venezuela to Puerto Rico and finally Houston. Living in South America was a defining time in her life. She learned to scuba dive at age 50 and had many adventures with Al and the family exploring the Caribbean in their boat the “Little Bit”. Gerry and Al had a love for Venezuela and the Venezuelan people and made many friends there. One of the most exciting trips Gerry took was to Angel Falls. Making trips down the Orinoco, learning to salsa dance, and hosting parties that all ages enjoyed were her signature. A self- taught Egyptologist, for years she researched King Tut and was able to visit Egypt, London, and Germany to further her studies. She became an expert on seashells and enjoyed collecting hundreds on her walks on beaches all over the world and those she dove for herself in Venezuela. Upon returning to the States Gerry and Al bought a beach house at Crystal Beach where for many years the extended family gathered for large Fourth of July and Labor Day celebrations where everyone enjoyed fireworks , fish fries, and gumbo none of her children have been able to match. The end years involved enjoying the fruits of a forever expanding family with a wonderful sense of humor and a nurturing spirit. She and Al were members of Woodland Place Baptist Church in Magnolia and hosted numerous Christmas parties for their Sunday school class the Quaint Saints. The family has wonderful memories of gathering at their country home for Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts. Gerry always said the blessing and was able to do so this past year, weak as a kitten but strong in spirit. Her heart was always with Al and in his later years, as his health declined, she never let him out of her sight. After Al died, every single day she would ask “Where’s Al?” until the day of her own death. Her partner in life has simply been waiting for her on the other side. Today they are together again, restored to watch over their family, as always. Geraldine was predeceased by her parents Burgess Theodore Young Sr. and Minnie Lou Bridges, her brother Burgess Theodore Young Jr. and sister Adrienne Reeves.

Geraldine is survived by her sister Evelyn Hansen, daughter Helen Owen and husband Craig of New Braunfels, son Bert Smith and wife Debbie of Lake Jackson, son Gary Smith and wife Marilyn of Tyler, daughter Elizabeth Hoffman and husband Don of The Heights, daughter Sharon Farmer and husband John of Friendswood, and son Stephen Smith and wife Jackie of Magnolia. She is also survived by grandchildren Lisa Utay and husband Jeff of Katy, Joe Smith and wife Lane of Fort Worth, Kelly Moore and husband Austin of San Antonio, Laura Owen of Los Angeles, Cindy Koester and husband Steve of League City, Cheryl Meche and husband Chad of Pearland, Paul Smith of College Station, Courtney and Andrew Blevins of Magnolia, great grandchildren Sam and Harper Utay, Jonathon and David Moore, and Cayla and Camryn Meche. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and dear friends. The family wishes to thank her long term caregiver Patricia Spiller for her devotion and the loving care she provided to our mother during the last few years. They also wish to thank the dedication and kindness of the staff of Autumn Grove Cottage in Pearland and AMED hospice care. We are forever grateful.

Pallbearers will be Austin Moore, Paul Smith, Chad Meche, Steve Koester, Joe Smith and Andrew Blevins. Honorary pallbearers will be Jeff Utay, Craig Owen, John Farmer and Don Hoffman. Visitation will be Wednesday, June 26, 2013 from 5-7pm at Cashner Funeral Home at 801 Teas Road, Conroe, Texas. Funeral services will be at June 27, 2013 at 10am at Cashner’s. Burial will follow at Garden Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the charity of your choice or to the American Cancer Society. II Timothy 4:7 –“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” You are invited to view our webpage and leave written condolences to the family at www.cashnerconroe.com