Dean Sanger Smith

Mrs. Smith was born to Stephen S. and Anita Frerking Sanger on December 28, 1929 in El Reno, Oklahoma and spent her formative years in Chickasha, Oklahoma, graduating from Chickasha High School in 1947. She then attended Oklahoma College for Women and the University of Oklahoma where she was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1951. After her college graduation, Mrs. Smith joined the faculty at West Texas State University where she earned her master’s degree and met her husband of 56 years, Jerry M. Smith of Oklahoma City.

In addition to her professional duties at West Texas State, Mrs. Smith also served as a professor at Brazosport Community College in Lake Jackson, Texas. She worked for a time as an office manager for a dental office in Lake Jackson and in 1985, she and her husband moved to San Marcos, TX where they started a paper and janitorial supply business called PaperSmith . After retiring to New Braunfels, Mrs. Smith was an active member of Gruene United Methodist Church serving faithfully for many years as an “office angel.” She was an active bridge player throughout her life and played in several local groups several times a week. She also played in a local Bunco group for the last 18 years and whose members were faithful and loyal to the end.

Mrs. Smith is survived and will be sorely missed by her three children Stephen S. Smith (wife Peggy Klein) and Paula Smith New (husband Larry New) both of New Braunfels and Jeffrey Smith (wife Jamie Post) of Houston. She is also survived by her five grandchildren, Micaeli Smith, Shelby New Sinclair (husband Dave Sinclair), Austin New, Cameron Smith and Spencer Smith. She also had a great grand-daughter who is on the way that is due any day now. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Jerry Smith, brother, Stephen S. Sanger and sister. Dr. M. Janett Sanger.

Many thanks to her friends, caregivers, church members and Hope Hospice who made her feel so well loved during her final years. She was a bright and shining presence who loved to laugh and the world will be a little less fun without her.

Visitation will be held Sunday evening, January 21 from 4-6 p.m. at Zoeller Funeral Home, 615 Landa Street in New Braunfels. A memorial service will be conducted on Monday morning, January 22 at 11 am at Gruene United Methodist Church, 2629 E. Common in New Braunfels. Interment to follow, next to her husband Jerry, at Guadalupe Valley Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Gruene United Methodist Church.