Deanna Smith

Deanna Brateman Smith was born on 3-13-1937 in Houston Texas at St Joseph’s Hospital to Sam and Sarah Brateman. She is survived by her husband Roy Houston Smith of 49 years, daughter Elizabeth Gillespie and husband Bruce, sons Bill Smith and Robert Smith and wife Lauren, grandchildren Kristen Elizabeth Smith and Daniel Brateman Smith. Deanna was the oldest of three sisters who were Rosalyn Kurtz and Charlotte Brateman Shabot who have predeceased her. She leaves behind many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Deanna lived most of her life in Houston and was a 2nd generation Texan. She graduated from San Jacinto High School. Deanna and Roy purchased a weekend place in Crockett, Texas over 45 years ago where they eventually built a home and owned a mattress sales company. Many in the area will remember Smith Mattress located on Highway 21. Deanna and Roy used to advertise on KIVY, the local radio station. They ran Smith Mattress on the weekends in Crockett while working during the week at their business, Quality Mattress in Houston. After Roy retired, they moved to Crockett full time and have lived in Crockett for the last 20 plus years.

Deanna had many hobbies and talents. She decorated cakes, made ceramics, crocheted, made hook rugs and was a very skilled quilter. Deanna made many king and queen size quilts along with wall hangings and jackets. Her appliqué work was exquisite. Deanna participated in the Davy Crockett Quilt Guild and loved to sew. When she was younger Deanna sewed her children’s clothing and had a knack for doing beautiful work. She made several Persian style rugs which were hand made one thread at a time. Deanna raised orchids and had a green thumb. She was an animal lover and had a variety of pets through the years ranging from cats and dogs, to birds, chinchillas, salt water fish and even flying squirrels.

During the 1970s Deanna was a Red Cross Water Safety Instructor. In addition to teaching swimming lessons, she taught Junior and Senior Life Saving. Deanna loved to swim and just be in and around the water. Deanna and Roy also owned property at Houston County Lake because Deanna loved the water.

She enjoyed traveling no matter if it was going to Belize with the Houston Conocology Society or the South Pacific with her good friend Ruth Goodson. When she traveled to Fiji, she obtained her SCUBA diving certification so that she could experience open ocean underwater diving. She was a member of the Houston Conchology Society of Houston (the study of sea shells) and was quite the collector. Deanna enjoyed going to Branson, Missouri with Roy and their friends along with visiting his family in Arkansas. Deanna looked forward to trips to Hot Springs and spent time there as a child with her family and as an adult with Roy and her children. Deanna spent many weekends in Galveston with her parents and family when her children were growing up. She loved visiting her sister’s family in California, travelling to Las Vegas with the Kwoks and Hawaii and the West Coast with Roy and her parents.

Deanna loved her children, grand-children and the love of her life, her husband Roy. She struggled mightily and was able to rally and be released from the nursing home in Crockett in order to spend the last several weeks of her life at home with her beloved husband Roy.

Deanna took her last helicopter ride on 3-29-15 when she was transported by Life Flight to the hospital in Tyler, Texas. She passed on to be with God on March 29th at 2:20 pm.

She was loved by family and friends and will be truly missed.

Burial graveside services will be held in Houston on Wednesday, April 1st at 3:00 pm at Emanu El Memorial Park, Cemetery 8341 Bissonnet, Houston, TX 77071. Reception will be held immediately following the graveside service.

In lieu of flowers the family is requesting a donation to your charity of choice.