MauRita Lynette Gafford Smith “Sissy,” 77, passed away Nov.
15, 2022, at her home in Taylor.
MauRita was born Dec. 16, 1944, in Houston, to Juanita and Thomas Gafford.
After the passing of her father at a young age, having only an eigth grade education, she helped raise her four brothers Wayne, David, Wesley and Darrell, while her mother worked to provide for the family.
She lived in many cities in Texas during her childhood.
She married Weldon Eugene Smith Nov. 22, 1963, at Cottage Grove Church in Houston.
She and Weldon co-partnered “Voices,” a nonprofit for abused women, where they spent many hours fundraising and working with women and children in abusive homes.
She enjoyed her weekly meetings with her TOPS (Taking off Pounds Sensibly) group where she made many friends, met her weight loss goal and earned a second-place award for most pounds lost for 2019.
She loved spending time with her family, friends and her dog, Zeke. She loved to read, travel, and spend time at the beach.
Sissy was preceded in death by her husband, Weldon Smith; brother, Wayne Gafford; mother, Juanita Gafford; father, Thomas Gafford; and grandson, James Mangum Jr.
She is survived by her daughter, Lynita Conaway and husband Mark Conaway of Temple; daughter, Regina Schneider and husband Darin Schneider of Taylor; son, Troy Smith and wife Taresa Smith of Rockdale; grandchildren, Amanda Ruiz, Megan Lane, Steven Conaway, Tristan Lewis, Nicole Smith, Keith Schneider and Tamra Mangum; 11 great grandchildren; brothers, David Gafford, Wesley Gafford and Darrell Mann.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, Nov. 22, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Providence Funeral Home. A funeral service will be Wednesday, Nov. 23, at 10 a.m.. Burial to follow at Taylor City Cemetery.
