Carrie Sue Crittenden Smith

“Mom” to her three children, “Grandmother” to her eight grandkids and great grandkids, and “Sue” to her countless friends, Carrie Sue Crittenden Smith passed peacefully on January 21, 2021, at the age of 95 at her residence at the Christwood Retirement Community in Covington, LA. Her daughters, Jennifer and Carole along with granddaughter Ashli, were at her side.

Born in Forney, Texas, in 1925 to Gordon McCorkle Crittenden and Robbie Haley Head Crittenden, Sue was the baby of the family and beloved sister to her five brothers and sisters. After graduating from Terrell High School and working at Terrell State Bank, Sue met her future husband, James Spencer (Jay) Smith, Jr., shortly before the outbreak of World War II, in which he served honorably as an Army Air Corps (later the U.S. Air Force) pilot. During their long military life together, the moves were many with Jay retiring as a Lt. Colonel. They settled in Arlington, TX in 1963 on Mill Creek Drive, which would become home to Sue and her family for the next 55 years.

While raising her three children and running a busy household, Sue still found time to volunteer as a Red Cross Nurse’s Aide in addition to pursuing her passions as an avid reader, history buff, student of current events and establishing herself as a well-respected member of both neighborhood and community. Sue enjoyed traveling and took many trips across the US and Europe with family members. A true native Texan, Sue was a loyal fan of her beloved Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers, and was on a first-name basis at her favorite local Tex-Mex establishment, Mariano’s, where she was known to enjoy a frozen Margarita … from time to time.

Sue Smith is the reason why clichés exist. She epitomized — effortlessly, flawlessly — the qualities of character to which most of us can only aspire. Often described as having “movie star looks” (a fact which is undeniable to anyone who ever laid eyes upon her), the real beauty of Sue Smith could be found, as ever, in her understated modesty, her unequaled grace, and her unpretentious charm. Sue had a playful sense of humor, yet possessed the rare ability to simultaneously command both respect and admiration from those who were fortunate enough to have made her acquaintance. She was the genuine picture of elegance, decorum, civility and independence. Those who knew and loved Sue Smith understand that her greatest legacy can be found in the notion that the world is a far better place when blessed with the presence of those who honor and carry forth her exceptional character.

In 2018 she retired to the Christwood Community in Covington, LA where her oldest daughter resides. Sue is survived by daughters Jennifer Sue Smith Rice (Tim) and Carole Ann Smith Townsley (Bill); by grandchildren Max Spencer Townsley (Danae), Erin Rice Soto (Dan), John Timothy Rice, Jr. (Lisa), and Ashli Courtney Rice; by greatgrandchildren Keagan Soto, Evan Anthony Soto, Parker John Rice, and Colin Joseph Rice, and her beloved cat, Missy. Her husband Jay predeceased her in 1980, as did her son, James Spencer (Jim) Smith III, in 1992.

The grace and humor that radiated from Sue will be missed by all.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, February 4, 2021, from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm at Moore Funeral Home in Arlington, Texas, followed by a graveside ceremony at 3:00 pm.