jessie loraine (kinard) smitherman
Jessie
Lorain Kinard Smitherman was born July 15, 1929 to Issac and
Kinard in Palacios, Texas. She joined her
half-brother Cecil, and 4 sisters, Vietta, Arlene, Ruth and Elva Lee.
She was later joined by a brother, Truett. She also had 3 older
half-bothers and 2 half-sisters. They moved to Baytown area in her
younger years. She had various jobs at a young age which included
working in a candy store, also working her way up in the telephone
office. She married Connie C. Smitherman on May 4,1962 in Angleton, Texas. They made their first home in Clute, Texas. She worked hard as a homemaker with teenage boys and later a girl and another boy. She raised poodles at that time to help with income. Eventually in the early 1970's they made their home outside of Franklin, Texas where she helped on the Ranch and all that entailed. She loved working in the yard and garden, and working with the animals. She was well known for growing African Violets, which she loved to share. She loved helping others and when she got tired of the country she would head out to visit one of her siblings. She was very active at First Baptist Church and the Golden Circle Class in Calvert TX.
She is survived by
Step children:
Kathy Gregory and husband Kyle of Franklin, Mike Smitherman and wife Beverly of Centerville, Mark Smitherman and wife Debby of Rowlett and Terry Smitherman and wife Sharon of Franklin
2 Sisters: Arline Smitherman of Angleton and Elva Lee Darby of Baytown
2 sisters in laws: Gladys Smitherman of Franklin and Shirley Kinard
A host of nephews and nieces
9 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren
She was Preceded in death by:
her parents, 4 half brothers and 2 half sisters. her sisters: Vietta Ratcliff, Ruth Tumlinson, Brother Truett Kinard , Grandson Lance Gregory and beloved husband of 24 years, Connie C. Smitherman
Pallbearers: Mike Smitherman, Mark Smitherman, Terry Smitherman Joe Smitherman, David Ratcliff and Kyle Gregory
Services are scheduled for 1:00 P.M. Monday, January 9, 2017 at the First Baptist Church in Calvert, Texas. Chris Lange will officiate. Burial will follow in the Franklin City Cemetery. A Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 8, 2017 from 5-7PM at McCauley Funeral Home in Franklin.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Franklin Cemetery Association or to the First Baptist Church, Calvert, Texas.