Minnie Elizabeth “Liz” McMullan Smith, age 96, went home to be with the Lord on Feb. 2 in Houston from complications associated with a stroke.

Liz was born in Tupelo to Carrie and Dave McMullan on April 25, 1921. She attended school in Tupelo and graduated from Corsicana High School. She also graduated from Beauty School in Tyler. She married Jester Smith and moved to the small town of High Island, where she not only raised her four children, but also operated the High Island Hotel for several years, and was secretary for Smith Service Company. Her home became the meeting place for bridge club with her friends, and also the place where her children’s friends gathered to eat and listen to her two sons’ rock band practices. Many neighborhood children viewed her as a second Mom.

In 1969 she moved to Beaumont and worked at Norvell Wilder Supply Company and Mobil Two Way. At age 72 she retired and then started an exercise regime of walking a mile a day. She was always ready for adventure and, at the age of 91, took a trip to Maui. Liz was the fan in the stands at the sporting events of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She enjoyed being a Meema, playing dominos and cards, taking pictures, crocheting and sewing. Liz loved cooking for large family gatherings, which always included her famous biscuits or homemade rolls. She had a gift for making the people in her life feel very special and loved.

Liz is a member of the St. Matthews Methodist Church in High Island. She has been attending Cornerstone Church in Liberty since she moved in with her daughter, Linda, in 2012.

Liz was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, A. D. and Tom; sisters, Kitty Norwood and Marguerite Gorman; grandson, Jeremy Smith; and great-grandson, Cody Sabol.

She is survived by one sister, Sybil Killough of North Carolina; and her children, Danny Smith of Baytown, Linda Black of Liberty, Jerry Smith (Julia) of Gonzales and Susan Smith of Spring; grandchildren, Rich Black, Jason Black (Christy), Robbin Howard (Geoff), Brad Smith, Corey Smith (Andrea), Darren Smith (Jennifer), Natalie Garza (Joel), Shayda Heath (Nathan) and Tyler Smith; 20 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Visitation is 5-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 6, at Allison Funeral Home,

1101 North Travis Street in Liberty. The funeral is at 11 a.m. on Wednesday Feb. 7 at Cornerstone Church, 1693 Highway 146 bypass in Liberty.

Graveside services will be 1 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 8, at Oakwood Cemetery,

N 15th Street in Corsicana.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society in honor of Liz being a breast cancer survivor. Memories and condolences can be shared with the family by visiting www.allisonfuneralservice.com.