Imogene Smith Maerz Brooks of Goldthwaite, Texas passed away on December 7, 2024 at the age of 100 years, 7 months, 15 days. Imogene was born on April 23, 1924 in El Dorado, Arkansas where she spent her early childhood. When she was 13 her family moved to Houston for better job opportunities.
She worked at the soda fountain in a Drug Store while attending High School. Carl’s brother was a neighbor to Imogene’s family while she was in High School. They met when Carl came to visit his brother. He worked at the Defense Plant in Freeport, Texas. After they married, they moved to Freeport and lived in a small trailer in the Defense Plant Employee Facility.
Imogene was actively involved in Park Place Methodist Church and Eastern Star. She was active in the Parent Teacher Association at Park Place Elementary School. She gave generously of her time ministering to widowed friends all of her adult life both in Houston and in Goldthwaite. After she moved to Goldthwaite, Imogene was active in the United Methodist Church where she was an active member of her Sunday School class, and worked with the children’s program after school. The highlight of her church experience was a Church group trip to the Holy Land accompanied by her daughter Carla. Imogene also enjoyed delivering Meals on Wheels. She spent much time visiting with residents and painting the fingernails of residents of the nursing home. This is the setting where people would minister to her in her final years.
Imogene is preceded in death by the husband of her youth, Carl B. Maerz. They had been married for 50 years at the time of his passing. Imogene is also preceded in death by her parents and all of her siblings, as well as a great granddaughter, Emma Leigh Lines.
Imogene is survived by her three children and their spouses: Carla Maerz Gager (Geoffrey Gager), Cynthia Maerz Lines (Dr. Paul Lines), Richard Mark Maerz (Barbara Jones Maerz); 10 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.
The family would like to thank the staff at Goldthwaite Health and Rehabilitation Center for the care and compassion during the years she lived there.
Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life at Forest Park Lawndale Chapel of Angels on Friday, December 13 at 2:00 p.m. Viewing will be from 1:00 until 1:30.
