Ila Marie Smith

Ila Marie Cox Smith daughter of Andrew Hugh and Ila Lannie Gaston Cox passed away October 16th, 2019 at the age of 84. Born and raised in Gatesville, Texas. Marie spent her days as a city girl and an only child. Marie was spoiled with lots of love and the center of Hugh and Lanie's affection.

Marie was very involved in high school as a member of the Championship Gatesville Hornets basketball team. Marie met her eventual husband Clarence who claimed his only interest was to be at his sister's games Norma Smith Rose. Turned out Clarence had other interest. Marie married Clarence on June 3, 1955 less than a week after graduating from High School.

Marie gained a total of 7 bothers and sisters on that fateful day filling a void of loneliness of being an only child in her family. That union created a lifelong set of relationships that she cherished to her death. Marie and Clarence were married for over 61 years. They moved from White Sands New Mexico to Waco, Texas and eventually settled in Garland Texas where they raised their 4 boys.

Marie and Clarence worked their entire adult lives for Texas Instruments and were valued employees that received numerous awards and recognition. Marie and Clarence were lifelong members of several Baptist Churches and deeply committed Christians. Marie served in various roles within the Church but her true calling was leading women's devotionals.

Marie and Clarence spent most of their retirement years on the road traveling the United States in remote areas working as volunteers for Volunteer Christian Builders. The VCB mission is to build and minister to impoverished churches. Clarence would help build the churches and mom would help with providing lunches and leading devotionals wherever they traveled. Their work with VCB brought a deep sense of mission for them and they were very happy serving their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Marie's passion in life was serving God and her family. Mother never missed an event her children were involved in. Mother was the heart and soul of the family and was always the one her children could come and confide in and to be prayed over and be counseled. A great listener and a tender heart who had a smile that would light up a whole room.



Today she is joined with her Savior Jesus Christ and dearly departed family and friends. Welcome Home Mom. You will be missed terribly.

Marie is preceded in death by her long time and devoted husband Clarence, survived by sons Phillip A. Smith of Garland, Texas, Laurence G. Smith and wife Kathy Smith of Pagosa Springs, Colorado, R. Darrell Smith and wife Cindy Smith of Corinth, Texas and Brian D. Smith of Rowlett, Texas, Grandchildren Ashley Smith, Jessica Smith, Trey Nickell, Kristen Smith Anderson, Jake Smith, Josh Smith, Chad Ryan, Mallory Ryan. Great Grandchildren Christian Barrett, Carter Barrett, Brooklyn Ryan, Xander Smith, Tyler Nickell, Jason Nickell, Savannah Nickell, and Scarlett Nickell.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer's North Texas Chapter https://www.alz.org/northcentraltexas.


Services entrusted to Charles W. Smith & Sons of Sachse, Texas.