She passed away peacefully on June 20, 2019 in Tyler. She was born March 30, 1933 in Newgulf, Texas to William Beryl and Imogene Jones.
She was a lifetime member of The American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT) and worked for 46 years, mostly in Beaumont, Texas. She attended schools in Iago, Boling and Liberty, Texas. She graduated from Liberty High School in 1950 and studied photography at Lamar University.
She married Raymond Clayton Smith on March 10, 1956 in Beaumont. They moved to Tyler in February 1996 to be grandparents. Grandy was a grandmother extraordinaire who loved spending time with her grandchildren. She enjoyed reading, gardening, camping, fishing and taking her grandchildren to Disneyworld. She will be remembered for her quick wit and love of family and friends.
Martha was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her son William Ronald Smith, grandson William A. Black and sister Pat Furgatch.
She is survived by daughter Linda Katherine Rowe and husband George of Tyler, sons Steven Merrill Olson and wife Monica of Shepherd, Texas and John Thomas Olson of Houston, and grandchildren Katherine Rowe Drury of Lubbock, George (Trey) Rowe III of Lubbock, Steven Olson, Jr. Olivia Kovac of Houston and great-granddaughter, Eleanor Drury. She is also survived by sister Margaret Lam and brother Daniel Jones of Houston.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Foundation- Women’s Board Project, 100 E. Ferguson, Suite 800, Tyler, TX 75702, or the charity of your choice.
