Marilla Marjorie Smith, our loving mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt passed away on March 10, 2021, at the age of 98.
Born in Ireton, Iowa on December 18, 1922, to Harry and Nellie Smith, Margie was the middle child of three girls. She attended Ireton schools and Iowa State College, relocating to Des Moines in 1941 to pursue her secretarial career. At age 20, in support of WWII, she accepted a position at the Sioux Falls, SD airbase for the Quartermaster Corps and Motor Pool driving staff cars, a position vacated by soldiers overseas. At no surprise to those who knew Margie, she also mastered driving the "big trucks", which became part of her duties as well. She very much enjoyed this job and doing her part for the war efforts.
While at the Sioux Falls airbase, Margie met a handsome serviceman from Texas, Earlo Smith, and they married on November 20, 1943. She worked as a secretary for the Post Engineer, until February 1944, when Earlo was deployed overseas to the European Theater. While he was away, Margie transferred to Goodfellow AFB in San Angelo, TX and lived with Earlo's sister. For the next two years, she worked as a secretary, most notably for the Intelligence office, chronicling WWII happenings with post history charts and photos. Her excellent work earned her recognition and a transfer, but she happily declined to become a full-time wife and mother.
In December 1945, Earlo returned home from war and they initially settled in Center Point, Texas near his parents, seven siblings, and their families. The couple spent the next 11 years welcoming their four children, two sons and two daughters, during which time they lived in both Texas and Iowa. In 1956, they moved to San Angelo and it would be their home for the next 65 years. While the children were young, Margie was a homemaker filling her days with daily chores, school activities, PTA, Little League, and the First Presbyterian Church. In the mid-1960s, she returned to her secretarial work with roles at Hodapp Accounting and Carr and Associates Insurance. After retirement, Earlo and Margie moved to Lake Nasworthy making many happy lake memories with their 11 grandchildren and 22; great grandchildren. Earlo passed peacefully in March 2016 after 72 years of marriage.
Margie was always full of energy and moved in high gear! She loved being involved in many clubs and activities including: New Timers, Rolling Hills Garden Club, Senior Bridge, and delivering meals for the elderly until she herself was 90. Margie also enjoyed her church family, the wonderful neighbors at the lake, sewing, bowling, dancing, and of course, visiting the public library. During quiet times, her nose was always in a book.
Margie's quick wit, welcoming smile, and dedication to her family and friends will be sorely missed. When Mom, Mimi, or Margie was in your comer, you knew the friendship was strong and true. God also blessed the grandchildren and great grandchildren with a Mimi that made them feel uniquely special and interacted with them on a personal and intellectual level. Her words of wisdom, memories from her past, and strong values are cherished and will never be forgotten.
Margie is survived by her children: Janell Hoelscher (Dwane), David Smith (Carol), Steve Smith, Noma Perrine (Keith) all of San Angelo, Tx. Grandchildren: Brantley Hoelscher (Robbi) of Wall, Tx; Kari Beeles (Shawn) of Wall, Tx; Kristi Bayless (Matt) of New Braunfels, Tx; Justin Smith (Carly) of Round Rock, Tx; Miranda Cooke (John) of Austin, Tx; Jackie Smith (Justin) of San Angelo, Tx; Terry Stinnett of Norfolk, VA; Kelly Avants (Shay) of Eden, Tx; Wade Smith of San Angelo, Tx; Heather Kilgore (Tony) of Westlake, Tx; and Hayley Perrine of San Angelo, Tx. Great Grandchildren: Erin, Garrett, and Avery Hoelscher; Maci, Reagan, and Landon Beeles; Gavin, Emery, and Layton Bayless; Riley and Carson Smith; Morgan and Jake Cooke; Canon Smith, Chloe and Keira Stinnett; and Ben, Will, and Reese Kilgore.
She is also survived by her beloved sister, Ardis Eilts, of Ireton, IA, and cherished brother-in-law, Odis Smith, of San Angelo, along with many nieces and nephews in Texas, Iowa, Nebraska, and Ohio.
Margie is preceded in death by her husband, Earlo Smith, and sister, Phyllis Presler, of Westlake, Oh.
She also requested the family thank Dr. Cheruku for his years of medical care and kindness, Hospice of San Angelo, and Community Pharmacy, and her caregivers Diane, Marcella and Norma.
A celebration of Margie's life will be held Saturday, March 13, 2021 at 2:00pm, at Harper Funeral Home, masks will be voluntary. Livestream of the service will be available at www.facebook.com/harperfhandcremato….
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Meals for the Elderly, First Presbyterian Church of San Angelo, or a charity of your choice.
Memorial Service
Saturday, March 13, 2021
2:00PM
Harper Funeral Home
2606 Southland Boulevard
San Angelo, TX 76904
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