Bobbie Dean Wallace Smith

Bobbie Wallace Smith went to her Heavenly Home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Monday, the 14th of January 2019. She was born on the 21st of June 1928, in the home of her parents, Oran Winford Wallace, DDS and Letha Burkes Wallace. She was born on the day of her father’s graduation from The University Texas Dental School in Houston. He often joked that his diploma was awarded out of sympathy since he was up all night awaiting her arrival. She was always proud of being a native Houstonian.

She married Terry Tamon Smith on the 21st of December 1999, with whom she shared 19 happy and memorable years. His love, compassion, patience, and companionship were treasured. He was the widower of her deceased sister, Joanne Wallace Smith. Never in their wildest imagination did they ever anticipate falling in love.

Bobbie graduated with honors from Reagan High School in 1945. While at Reagan her junior year, she represented the city of Houston in the Women’s Debate finals for the State of Texas and was a Yell Leader. Her senior year, she was Drill Master for the Reagan Redcoats and went to the Texas state competition in Women’s Extemporaneous Speech.

Bobbie graduated from Baylor University in 1949. While at Baylor, she was president of Athenean Club (Kappa Kappa Gamma), represented Baylor in Women’s Debate in her senior year, and was nominated for class Beauty three years and named Runner-Up her senior year. She loved her years at Baylor and developed lifelong relationships with many of her classmates.

She moved back to Houston after graduating and taught at Harvard Elementary School until having children. Raising her children was her life’s calling and top priority. Nothing provided more joy than her children and their activities. It didn’t matter whether she was a Brownie leader, PTA officer, or sports spectator; she was the cheerleader and advocate for her kids at every phase. No activity was too troublesome or conflicting – the more the better. She loved working crosswords, solving puzzles, and her trips to Dairy Queen for a Georgia Mud Fudge Blizzard. Bobbie was a member of The Baylor University Alumni Association, The Baylor University Women's Association of Houston, The Alexander Love Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), The Kappa Kappa Gamma Alumni Association, and The Guild of Houston Baptist University. She lived an active enjoyable life of golf, tennis, and bridge with her friends. Her passion was participation including her volunteer work at MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Church and her relationship with God were always at the center of Bobbie’s life. She never missed Sunday School while growing up and attending First Baptist Church in Houston, and she cherished her “perfect attendance” pins she received. After graduating from Baylor, she taught Sunday School at First Baptist Spring Branch and later became a charter member of Tallowood Baptist Church where her three children were raised. She has been a member of Second Baptist Church of Houston and The Ticket to Heaven Bible Study Group since 1985. She enjoyed all of her church activities – singing in the choir, teaching Sunday School, participating in Bible studies, committee participation, and exercising at the Family Life Center.

She was proud and satisfied with the footprint she left. She is survived by her husband, Terry Tamon Smith and her children and their spouses; Larry Dean Smith and wife Debbie Smith of Seguin, Texas; Connie Smith Edwards and husband Tom N. Edwards, MD. of Birmingham, Alabama; and Randy Wallace Smith, MD and wife Elaine Smith of College Station, Texas.

Her three children resulted in an incredible group of eight grandchildren: Kevin Smith and wife Becca, Austin Smith and wife Heather, Christine Edwards Flink and husband Mike, Kyle Smith and wife Whitney, Emily Edwards Turlington and husband Mark, Zachary Smith and wife Pressly, Blake Edwards and wife Christina, Keith Smith and wife Emily. Bobbie is also survived by great-grandchildren Harper and Kendall Smith; Sloane and Cannon Smith; Madison, Miles and Morgan Flink; Luke and Sam Turlington; Ellie Grace and Everly Edwards; Cooper Smith; Lawrence “Wren” Smith

Bobbie had a significant, meaningful, and loving relationship with her two nieces, Karen Smith King and Kathy Smith Tucci; who also became stepdaughters after Bobbie’s marriage to Terry. Karen’s husband Leo LaCasia and her children Amy, Ashley, and Emily as well as Kathy’s husband Jeff and children Jackie, Julie, and Jason provided fond memories.

A funeral service will commence at ten o’clock in the morning on Monday, the 21st of January in the Hankamer Chapel at Second Baptist Church, 6400 Woodway Drive in Houston. Immediately following the service, all are invited to greet the family during a reception to be held at the church.

The interment service will follow the reception, via an escorted cortege, at Memorial Oaks Cemetery in Houston.

In lieu of customary remembrances memorial contributions may be directed toward Hope Health Center, 4614 Carnegie Avenue, Fairfield, AL 35064