Marlee Schmitt's Obituary
Saundra "Marlee" Schmitt went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on September 24, 2025 at the age of 75 following a brief illness. She was born on July 2, 1950 and was adopted at six months old by parents, Lee and Mary Jaenicke of Hutchinson, Kansas where she grew up. Marlee and her family moved from Kansas to Corsicana, TX to Duluth, MN before they eventually made their home in Longview in 1984. Marlee received a full academic scholarship from Phi Theta Kappa and attended UT Tyler earning an Associate of Science degree in psychology with honors. She married Charles (Chuck) Schmitt in 1994 and received a special bonus of 5 sons and 2 daughters along with numerous grandchildren into her family. Marlee and Chuck enjoyed many years of dancing, golfing and traveling to numerous states and cruising to Italy, Germany, Greece, Hawaii and Turkey. In addition, they took 30 vacations to Cozumel, Mexico which became their "home away from home." Marlee had a marketing and public speaking career that spanned over 30 years and included positions at Navarro College in Corsicana, Draughon Business School, Longview Regional Medical Center, CORE and Longview Occupational Medicine Clinic. She was honored as a Star over Longview by Longview Regional, People in the Community by Texas Bank and Trust, served on numerous committees including the Chamber of Commerce, American Cancer Society and American Heart Association Public Relations. She chaired the March of Dimes "WalkAmerica" for 10 years. While Marlee loved her family, work and serving her community, her greatest blessing in life was the day that God took her hand and blessed her with a beautiful relationship with Him. She loved Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit within her, she shared Him with everyone she came in contact with. Her last 6 years of life were spent spreading His Word and helping others in need. Her favorite serving opportunity was prison ministry. She never met a stranger and was loved by many.
Marlee was proceeded in death by husband Charles Schmitt, beloved son David Redd, daughter Laura Nicholson and unborn grandson Ryan Nicholson, bonus daughter Anne Slappy and bonus son Karl.
She is survived by brother Vern Jaenicke, bonus sons and daughters: Charley (Susan), David (Jan), John (Alisha), Chris, and Jennifer Aguilar (Rodney); son-in-law Andy Nicholson and grandson Mason. Also surviving are 15 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home of Longview on Monday, September 29 at 10am with burial to follow at Rosewood Park. A visitation will be held Sunday the day before at the Funeral Home between 3 and 5pm.
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