Nellie Smith

Nellie Fitzgerald Smith age 88, beloved wife, mother, mother-in-law, Nana, sister, and friend passed away on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023. Nellie was born on Feb. 20, 1935, in Corsicana, TX, the oldest of five children born to Vesta Lee and Aubrey Lee Fitzgerald. She married her high school sweetheart and love of her life, John Stephen Smith of Corsicana on Jan. 24, 1953. She and John settled in Corsicana where they raised their four children. Nellie was a stay-at-home mom who was always there for her husband and children. She had time and patience to spare for those in need. She enjoyed genealogy, making scrapbooks for all her children and grandchildren, quilting, and games of dominoes, cards, and Bunko. Nellie was an active member of the Women’s Fellowship and Our Lady’s Altar Society at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church where she served as vice president and secretary. Nellie was also an active member of the Piecemakers’ Quilt Guild where she served as president, 2nd vice president, 3rd vice president, secretary, treasurer and librarian. She also was involved in a Bible study group, “88” and “42” groups, as well as her much-loved Bunko group. Nellie was also a volunteer for Food for Fitness. She was also always ready for a game of Monopoly, Life, Sequence or Checkers with her grandchildren. Nellie was a crafter, who loved making things, especially quilts for her children and grandchildren. Nellie loved her family dearly and enjoyed all sports especially the ones her children and grandchildren participated in. She was preceded in death by her parents and sisters, Joyce Shipp, Elaine Fitzgerald, and Diane Wing. She is survived by her loving and faithful husband of seventy years, John and her four children including daughter, Marlys Spikes of Fort Worth; son and daughter-in-law, Paul and Melody Smith of Corsicana; daughter, Angela Neal of Dallas; and daughter and son-in-law, Dana and Joe Hoskins of Granbury. She was a doting “Nana” to 13 grandchildren including Shannon (Patrick) Scott of Kingwood, Mary-Margaret (Eric) Lemons of Aledo, Martha-Nell (John) Kennedy of Fort Worth, Hallie (Grant) Caldwell of Bedford, Chase (Kasey) Smith of Houston, Shelley (Turner) Bettis of Fort Worth, Holly (Cody) Daves of Pflugerville, Daniel Neal of Dallas, Heather (Nick) Wong of Austin, Jonathon (Erica) Neal of Corsicana, Paul Hoskins of Austin, Nicholas Neal of Dallas, and Peyton Hoskins of Granbury. She was also a proud great-grandmother to Molly, Maggie, and Taylor Scott, Lucy and Thomas Lemons, Ellie Claire and Mary-Alice Kennedy, Mac and Bonnie Bettis, Lydia and Conrad Caldwell, Aiden and Isabella Smith, Franklin Neal, and Leon Wong. Nellie is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law A.L., Jr. "Bubba" and Andrea Fitzgerald, and sister-in-law and brother-in-law Janis and Paul Ross as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Rosary followed by visitation will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home in Corsicana. A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. The family would like to thank the staff of Twilight Nursing Home, especially Jaci Brownlow and the staff of Hand-in-Hand Hospice for their care and support. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to James L. Collins Catholic School. “We cannot see her, but she is with us still. She is more than a memory; she is a Living Presence in all her survivors.” Livestream video: https://youtube.com/live/4_h2GfLx-WM?feature=share

Nellie Smith

February 20, 1935 - November 18, 2023