Rhoda Smith

Rhoda Sue Smith, 85 of Midland, TX passed away on Friday, March 19, 2021.  A visitation will begin at 6 PM on Monday, March 22, 2021 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory. Family graveside services will be held in Houston, TX at a later date.

Sue was born on September 17, 1935 in Pennington, TX to Reise and Annie Goodman. Sue was the youngest of 5 children. She was raised on a small farm in Trinity, TX. She met the love of her life, Clark Allen Smith, when she was just 19 years old and married him on December 16, 1954. They had known each other 6 months and decided to get married 2 days before her older brother’s wedding. They lived in Houston where they had 2 children before moving to Midland, TX and had their third child. They were offered a chance to move to Singapore and jumped at the chance. This decision allowed them to visit almost every continent and see and appreciate all the differences in our big world. When it came time to move back to the United States, they chose Texas (of course!). They moved to Monahans, TX. She worked as an administrative assistant to the superintendent of schools and also one of the county judges. She enjoyed learning new ideas whenever possible. While in Monahans, she became interested in ceramics and she and her husband would create pretty art pieces together. She was quite creative and artistic and could work in almost any medium. She enjoyed learning new techniques and creating pretty art pieces. They lived in Monahans until her husband died and she moved to Midland, TX.

Sue lived out the rest of her life in Midland, TX. She made many lifelong friends in Midland. She worked in the retail industry, as well as a volunteer in the school district helping elementary children learn and practice reading. She was an avid reader and collected Bibles. She read each of one, made notes in them, and had many note pages on studies she was conducting.  She was a kind, caring, funny, and sweet woman. She loved being Clark’s wife, Cara, James and Jodie’s mom, Memaw, Grammie and Granny Sue to her grandchildren and she will be greatly missed. All who met her have said she is the sweetest woman and she was. She is now reunited with the love of her life and is singing praise to Jesus. We are thankful for being her children and are grateful for the example she set for us.  We love you Mom and look forward to the time we see you again.

Rhoda is survived by her daughter Cara Palier (Mike) and grandchildren Byron Palier (Trisha), Heather Palier (Chris Hall), and Vanessa Stegner (Josiah.) Her son James Smith (Katie), and grandchildren Elizabeth Day (Tory), and Stephanie Smith. Her daughter Jodie Webb (Darren), grandchildren Logan & Landen Webb and numerous great grandchildren.

Rhoda is preceded in death by her husband, Clark Allen Smith.

The family would like to express their gratitude towards Medical Center Hospital, Manor Park Mabee Center, Midland Memorial Hospital, Orchard Park Memory Care, Cimarron Place Assisted Living, Brookdale Assisted Living, Dr. Cunningham, the nurses at Medical Center Hospital, the nurses at Midland Memorial Hospital and Dr. Nimat Alam for the excellent care in the last years of her life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the charitable organization of your choice. Sue supported The Alzheimer’s Association and The American Cancer Society.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.