Clara "Sue" Smith

She graduated from Hickman County High School in 1948 and continued her education at George Peabody School for Teachers in Nashville, Tennessee. While at Peabody, she participated in the Glee Club, Peabody Players, and Sigma Alpha Iota (SAI) honorary music. She completed her bachelor of science in Music Education there in August of 1952.

While at Peabody, she happen to meet a young man James Leon Smith, from Anahuac, Texas who just happened to be going to school in Nashville as well. They married in 1952 and soon moved to Houston, Texas where she started her career as an elementary music teacher.

They started a family there in Houston, Nena was born in 1955 and Mary in 1957. They moved to Galveston, Texas in 1961 for better opportunities and to add one to the family, Kevin was born in 1962.

While in Galveston, she was also the choir director at Central Christian Church.

In 1969, another opportunity presented itself and they moved once again to Nacogdoches, Texas. Sue started teaching elementary music at Raguet Elementary School in Nacogdoches, and James taught at Stephen F. Austin until his retirement.

She thoroughly enjoyed her time teaching. Sue loved her students, directing the choir, and music programs. It was an honor for her choir to sing at the Rotary Club yearly, and this tradition is still carried on today.

What a legacy she has left for all of us! I know there are many former students and colleagues who she taught music to at Raguet. She retired from teaching in 1987.

After retirement, much of her time was spent attending various music, art, photography, and drama events in the Nacogdoches area. Her retirement also enabled her to spend more time traveling and pursuing her various interest. She enjoyed watching her grandchildren, Sabrina and Brian in their music and extracurricular school activities, as well as high school graduation.

Sue supported many organizations in Nacogdoches including: Lamplight Theater, Nacogdoches Art League, Nacogdoches Symphony Club, Nacogdoches Photographic Association, and the Stephen F. Austin School of Music.

Sue is preceded in death by her husband, James Leon Smith; daughter, Mary Leah Smith; brother, Joe Morrison, and Sister, Faye Buchanan.

Sue is survived by her daughter, Nena Sue Smith of Nacogdoches; son, James Kevin Smith and wife Simaly of White Oak, Texas; grandchildren, Sabrina Lee Smith, Brian Christopher Smith; and sister, Martha Johnson of Ohio. Also, numerous nieces, nephews and other family members.

The family would like to thank Stalling Court for their care for our mother and Heart to Heart Hospice.

A visitation will be held Friday, December 15, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors, 5400 North St, Nacogdoches, Texas 75965. A funeral service will occur Saturday, December 16, 2023 at 10:00 AM at First United Methodist Church, 201 E Hospital St, Nacogdoches, Texas. Sue will be laid to rest in Sunset Memorial Park, Nacogdoches, Texas.