Navy Veteran and Turnbow-Higgs American Legion Post 240 Paid Up For Life Member, Marilyn Mae Smith (Jun 20, 1942-Feb 3, 2024), was called to Post Everlasting February 3, 2024. Funeral services were held at 1:00 pm, Saturday, February 10, 2024, at Grace Gardens Funeral Home, with Dr. Joe Bailey officiating. Interment with military honors by Naval Reserve Unit followed at Waco Memorial Park.
Marilyn’s 27-years of continuous American Legion service began in 1997, when she and son, John, also a Navy veteran, joined Husband & Father Tom in becoming Post 240’s only known Legion family. Joining Auxiliary Unit 240 in 2003 Marilyn proudly and effectively served Unit 240 as Vice President in 2007, and President in 2008-2010.
Elected Post 240 Commander in 2012-2013, Marilyn led Post 240 in planning and hosting the 2013 District 17 convention and achievement of 100% membership 2013-year goal. In recognition of her extraordinary service and leadership during her years of service, the Executive Committee of Post 240 in session on November 8, 2016, did unanimously vote to submit Marilyn M. Smith. to receive the Honorary Life Member status to the general membership and such membership did ratify this request in regular session on November 15, 2016, awarding Marilyn a Post 240 Honorary Life Membership.
Marilyn was born in Cleveland, Ohio, the oldest child of Donald Ray Myers and Velma Grace Hunt Myers. After graduating from Ashtabula High School, she enlisted in the United States Navy. She was an honor graduate from Hospital Corps School, Great Lakes. She was transferred to the U. S. Naval Dispensary, San Francisco, California. It was there that she met and married her husband, Tom Smith. She followed him wherever he was stationed even to Vietnam. While there, she taught in a Chinese Catholic School from 1964-1965.
Following Tom’s retirement, they moved to Stephenville, Texas where she attended Tarleton State University, graduating with a degree in Home Economics. She then worked in the Math and Physics Department for 14 years. Marilyn loved to sew and knit. She enjoyed giving her crafts to family and friends. She had the privilege of teaching her granddaughters how to sew and knit. One of the things that she enjoyed was singing in the church choir. She had a deep and abiding faith in the Lord Jesus Christ that never wavered even as her health declined.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Donald Ray Myers, Jr. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, her son, John Smith; her son, Tom Smith, and his wife Becky; her granddaughters, Lauren, and Amber; and her sister, Betty Faver, and her husband Scott.
Few American Legion Posts are blessed to have a member willing and very able to serve as both Post Commander & Auxiliary Unit 240 President. Marilyn now rests in peace at Post Everlasting, joining the ranks of many of her Legion Comrades. She is gone but not forgotten, and we are eternally grateful for her service to the Nation, Community, and Turnbow-Higgs Post 240 & Auxiliary Unit 240 The American Legion Department of Texas.
