Norma Grace Smith, 88, of Dimmitt, Texas, passed awayon Tuesday, May 27, 2025, in Amarillo, Texas.
Norma was born on June 11, 1936, in Foard County, Texas, to Norman and Grace (Matthews) Gray in a farmhouse 2.5 miles northwest of Thalia, Texas. She attended school in Thalia through the fourth grade. In the fall of 1946, her family moved to Hereford, Texas and joined the First Methodist Church the first Sunday they lived there. She graduated from Hereford High School in 1954 and attended the University of North Texas in Denton in 1954-1955 with the goal of becoming a teacher. Norma married Robert Wesley Smith on December 29, 1961, in Hereford. They shared over 53 years of life together. She worked for Dimmitt High School as a substitute teacher for many years. She was a proud and proper homemaker and educator with excellent etiquette. She valued the importance of education and instilled that in her three children. Norma was also an eloquent and talented pianist; she played the piano and organ as a young lady at the First Methodist Church in Hereford. Norma loved working in her yard, gardening, and spending time in the sunshine.
She is survived by her three children, Judith Smith-Polansky of Amarillo, Texas, John Robert Smith and wife Kelliof Amarillo, and Jill Elise Smith of Dimmitt; five grandchildren, Jessica Polansky, Kynzee Smith and husband Jake, Courtney Wright and husband Andrew, Grayson Smith and wife Calli, and Noah Gilman-Morgan; greatgranddaughter Lively Noell Smith; and brother Ron Gray of Oklahoma.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Norman and Grace Gray; and husband Robert W. Smith.
The family would like to thank the staff of Country View Living in Dimmitt, The Gardens of Amarillo, and High Plains Hospice for the loving care they gave to our mother over the last year.
Visitation and viewing will be at the funeral home on Friday, May 30, from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
A celebration of Life Service for Norma will be held on Saturday, May 31, at 10 a.m. at Colonial Funeral Home with Pastor Jonathan Sullivan of the Dimmitt First Baptist Church officiating. A private family burial will follow in the Rest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Hereford under the direction of Colonial Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, a gift may be made to Country View Living, 701 Butler Blvd, Dimmitt, TX 79027, or Rest Lawn Cemetery, 235 E. 3rd St. Rm 201, Hereford, TX 79045.