Freestone County, Texas
Obituaries


The Bryan - College Station Eagle - December 24, 2004 edition

Annie Grace (Virden) Smith


Annie Grace Virden Smith, 89, known to her friends and family as “Amazing 
Grace”, passed away Wednesday, December 22nd, 2004.  She was born August 31,
1915, in Teague, Texas.  She was preceded in death by her parents Newton
Alexander Virden and Marcie Laconia McNew, her brother N.A. Virden, and her
beloved husband Ellis Hobdy Smith.

Grace grew up in Teague, Texas where she attended Pyburn School.  She graduated
from Jeff Davis High School in Houston in 1933.  She also attended Davis
Business School in Houston, graduating in 1934.  On June 6, 1936, she was wed
to Ellis Hobdy Smith (“Smitty”).  They met in Houston, TX while on a blind
date.  Together they had four children: Marcia, Ellis, Sharon, and Ralph.  In
1953, the family moved to College Station, Texas, and then in 1967 they moved
to Bryan, Texas.  

Perhaps Grace will be best remembered for being the “backbone” of her family.
Family meant everything to her and she believed in strong family ties more than
anything else, except perhaps God.  She was a wonderful Mother, Grandmother,
and Great Grandmother, and was a “Mom” to several others in the community as
well.  

Grace always found time to give back her to her community.  She was a member of
the Lindale Civic Club in Houston where she served as Secretary, she served as
Area Chairman for the Citizens Improvement  Committee in  Houston, she was
President of the Bryan College Lionettes in Bryan, she served as Treasurer,
Corresponding Secretary, Vice President and President of the A&M Garden Club in
College Station, and she was a “Pink Lady” with The Auxiliary of St. Joseph’s
Regional Health Center for over 25 years and also served as their President.
Grace was a member of A&M United Methodist Church.

Grace is survived by her four children Marcia Jane Boone of College Station,
Ellis Virden Smith and his wife B. J., of Abilene, Sharon Hooton and her
husband, Jim of Pensacola Florida, and Ralph Alexander Smith of Abilene.  She
has five grandchildren and six great grandchildren: Samuel T. Goodner and his
wife, Caroline and son, Samuel Jackson of Austin, Melanie Ann Stuart and her
husband, Scott and their two children, Nathan Thomas and Amanda Jane of
Charleston, SC, Kindra Guest and her husband, Benton and their three children,
Cassie, Connor and Cole of Birmingham, AL, Jenna Hooton of Atlanta, GA, and
Tracy Smith of Austin.  She is also survived by a half sister, Judy Moore of
Houston and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Grace’s family and friends will miss her very much but we are happy that she is
no longer suffering and has joined her loved ones that have already gone ahead.

Services will be held at Hillier Funeral Chapel Monday, December 27, 2004 at 11
am.  Visitation for the family will be from 8 am to 9 am and visitation for
friends will be from 9 am to 11 pm.