Nelda L. Smith
Nelda L. Smith of Thornton, passed away peacefully at her home after a long illness on Sunday, June 14, 2020 at the age of 73. She was born on May 17, 1947, to James and Loyce Bryant Bennight in Holland, Texas. She attended schools in Belton and lived in Bell County for most of her childhood years. On March 10, 1965, she married Thomas Smith and they recently celebrated 55 years of marriage. They had three sons, John, Scott and Mark. Nelda also known as Nell, Nellie, Maw, Mom, Grandma, and G ma was a hard worker who enjoyed having fun and spending time with her family. She loved the beach, going on cruises, playing games, working in the yard, casino trips, painting, and doing all kinds of crafts. Above all her favorite thing to do was spoil her grandchildren and great-grandkids. She was a member of the Red Hat Ladies and enjoyed spending time with those ladies who became great friends. She is survived by her husband, Tom, sons: Scott Smith and wife Lorraine, Mark Smith and wife Melissa; Grandchildren Britney Knight and daughter Emerson, Scott Smith Jr. and wife Laura and sons Haze and Dax; Mandy Smith and daughter Dakota along with bonus great-grandchildren Aubree and Brynlee Beveridge and Mark Smith Jr. Sister, Kay Love, and husband Gene and bonus daughter Jean Scott and husband James as well as numerous friends, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by her son, John Smith; parents James and Loyce Bennight; sisters Betty Driska; brothers Dr. Robert Driska, Butch May and Sonny Driska.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be given in Nelda’s memory to the Groesbeck Education Foundation/John Smith Memorial Scholarship Fund P.O. Box 559 Groesbeck, TX 76642. Checks should be payable to Groesbeck Education Foundation.
The family would like to give a very special thanks to the Scott and White hospice team for taking such good care of Nelda for the last three months and giving support to the family. Sandra Earles, Sandra Dees, Kathy Reel, Nicole Grams, Connie Busby, and Sherry McMullen are pure angels and we will never be able to thank them enough for their loving care.
There will be a memorial service at the Thornton Cemetery on Saturday, June 20th at 10 a.m. with Brother Tracy Sims officiating.