PROVERBS 31: 28 “Her children rise up, and call her blessed.”
As the sun rose on Estherwood, Louisiana on April 2, 1910, Joseph and Elize Albarado Bellow welcomed their first born, Allie Eve. They were filled with gratitude that they had been blessed with such a beautiful child, as a little girl, Allie moved with her family to Beaumont, Texas.
She attended Beaumont schools and was always grateful to have had the pleasure of knowing and playing volleyball with Babe Didrikson Zaharias at Dick Dowling Junior High School.
In 1929 she met the man who would become the love of her life, Sidney Carmax Smith. She and her beloved “Son”, as she called him, soon married. They were married for thirty-two wonderful years until his passing in 1962. To this union three children were born. It was after the birth of their two sons and one daughter that Allie made a life long commitment to her children.
She took on the role of her children’s biggest cheerleader. She stood by them guiding their every step, nurturing them and always setting a true example of what it means to be a caring, unselfish individual. She inspired them and encouraged them to press on and attain every goal they attempted to achieve. She dealt with their faults and marveled at their accomplishments.
Her family continuously stood in awe at this special lady’s stamina and strength no matter what the crisis. These same traits she taught and instilled in her children she passed on to her grandchildren and even her nieces and nephews. Allie knew each of her family member’s faults but pretended not to see them. Instead she basked in their triumphs. Her love for each of them was always unconditional. She was their hero, their anchor, and their rock. As a mother she was the epitome of the song “You raise me up so I can stand on mountains, you raise me up to walk on stormy seas.” “I am strong when I am on your shoulders; you raise me up to more than I could be.”
Allie was a vivacious person who loved to dance and often referred to as the “belle of the ball.” If music was playing she was dancing. She enjoyed camping when her children were young and she loved to travel. She was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
God truly blessed this family by allowing them to have their precious Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, Great-Great-Grandmother, and Aunt with them for so many wonderful years.
On July 20, 2009, the sun set on the life of this special lady as she was welcomed in to the arms of Jesus at the age of 99 years.
Along with her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by all six of her siblings, Addie Cleveland, Vallie Marie Woolwine, Clarice Sapolio, Mildred Shepherd, C.B. Bellow, and T.H. “Pete” Bellow; one stepson, Sidney Max Smith. Additionally she bore the loss of three grandchildren, Sidney Mack Smith, Teri L. Smith Spoonemore, and Harry Louis “Nicky” Smith, Jr.
Allie is survived by her daughter, Joan Spears and her husband Edward of Wildwood; sons, Sam H. Smith and his wife Debbie of Winnie, and Harry L. “Gator” Smith and his wife Connie of Buna; nine grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and many loving and caring nieces and nephews.
A grateful family would like to thank all of the wonderful staff at The Clairmont in Beaumont for the exceptional care and especially the love they gave Mrs. Smith. None of her caregivers will ever know how much each of you mean to the family and how thankful the family is to each of you. May God bless you.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 24, 2009, at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church with burial to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. Her grandsons, Dana Smith, Greg Smith, Scott Smith, Stephen Smith, Mark Smith, and great-grandson Brandon Spoonemore will serve as pallbearers. A gathering of her family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a Christian Vigil at 6:00 p.m. Thursday, July 23, 2009, at Broussard’s.
Her light will shine forever in the lives and hearts of all who knew her. “If it wasn’t for the lighthouse, where would our ship be?”
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, 6825 Gladys, Beaumont, Texas 77706.
