Shirlee Smith, 73, of Port Neches was born March 1, 1935 in Hemphill, TX to Ralph Brown and Ima (Wilburn) Sprouse. She went on to be with her Lord, March 4, 2008 at her home with her family around her.
Shirlee graduated Port Neches-Groves H S in 1953. Growing up, she was active in church softball, cheerleading and was elected Queen of her senior year at PNG. She remained lifelong friends with many of her schoolmates especially one in particular, Mary (Aguillard) Dawkins whose friendship she cherished since childhood. Shirlee attended Lamar University where she met and married M. H. (Buzzy) Smith.
Shirlee was a remarkable woman who blessed everyone she knew. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Port Neches and loved her Sunday School class and her entire church family. Shirlee loved doing things for other people and taught her family what it meant to have a Servant’s Heart. She loved cooking your favorite meal, making scrapbooks for her grandchildren, but most of all, she loved being with her family and was always ready to plan the next family function. Shirlee loved the simple, beautiful things and celebrated each day. Shirlee was a wonderful wife, a loving mother and grandmother, and a precious friend.
Shirlee is survived by her husband of 52 years, Buzzy Smith, daughter, Kerry Foulk and husband, Fred, Sr., son, Kirby Smith and his wife, Donna, 4 grandchildren, Fred Foulk, Jr. and Emily Foulk, Marcella and Madeline Smith. All children and grandchildren live in Port Neches. One brother, James D. (Bootsey) Brown and wife, Sylvia of Port Acres.
Services will be held Thursday, March 6, 2008, at First Baptist Church, Port Neches with Dr. David Mahfouz and Rev. Michael Osborne officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Bluff Cemetery in Port Neches. Visitation will be Wednesday, March 5, 2008 at Broussard’s Mortuary in Nederland from 4:00 pm to 8:00.
Memorial contributions can be sent to First Baptist Church Playground Fund, P. O. Box 36, Port Neches, TX 77651.
