Marie Smeltzer's Obituary
Our beloved mother Marie Smeltzer passed away peacefully to her heavenly home on Thursday, October 6 surrounded by her loving family.
She was born June 23, 1936, in Longview Texas where she still resided at the time of her death at the age of 86.
Marie married the love of her life Eddie Smelter on January 15, 1951. They shared 47 years together until his death in 1998.
Together they traveled all over the U.S. in their motorhome and made many precious memories and friends along the way.
They moved to Portland Oregon in the summer of 1960 and lived there until 1968. When they returned to Longview and started their family-owned business Modern Drywall. Marie kept the books and did the paperwork until she closed the business down after 48 years in 2016.
She told us many stories of her time living in Oregon and how she cried all the way back to Texas. Marie loved her friends in Oregon especially her best friend Charlotte Bohlman who visited Texas several times where they would go antique shopping and often road trips together.
Marie loved her family unconditionally; they were her world. She adored her grandchildren and spoiled them as most grandparents do, but they all knew when Mom Mom meant business. Whenever they would go out with her it was always go to the bathroom, get a drink of water, and put on your manners before they left the house.
One of the grandkids favorite memories is the brown paper sacks she made them each year at Christmas. It was always the first gift they wanted to open. It’s just the plain simple things that brought so much joy to them from her. Your grandkids love you Mom Mom.
Marie was preceded in death by her husband Eddie, mother Gladys Cravey and great-grandson Braidan Jace Smeltzer. Left to cherish her memories are her son Gene Smeltzer and his wife Billie of Longview, daughter Janet King and her husband Steve of Longview, and son Stacy Smeltzer of Longview; grandchildren Bill Smeltzer and his wife Meredith of Longview, Brad Smeltzer and his wife Shannon of Big Sandy, Austin Smeltzer and his fiancé Lyndsie of Dallas, Stephanie Kazenske and her husband Faustino of Oklahoma City, Rachel Tiffin and her husband Jeremiah of Boerne; great-grandchildren Conner Smeltzer of Longview, Jordan Womack of Big Sandy, Ethan, Savannah, Charlotte and Madeleine Kazenske all of Oklahoma City, and Isaac and Daniel Tiffin of Boerne.
The family wishes to thank Christus Good Shepherd Home Health and nurse Heather Brooks, Dr. Koya and Texas Oncology Longview, Heart to Heart Hospice and nurse Cassandra Schmucker, and aides Shekeela, and Felice for all the wonderful care and support for our mother.
All are welcome to join the family for a time of viewing Sunday, October 9, 2022 from 4pm to 6pm at Rader Funeral Home in Longview. Ms. Smeltzer’s graveside service will be Monday, October 10, 2022, at Chalk Hill Cemetery starting at 2pm. Pallbearers will be Tracy Freeman, Wesley Freeman, Faustino Kazenske, Mike Chastain, Billy Harper, Jerry Davis, and Bob Haworth.
In lieu of flowers, you can make a charitable donation to the American Cancer Society, Ronald McDonald House of Dallas, or charity of your choice in her name.
Arrangements are under the care of Rader Funeral Home in Longview.
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