Betty Marie (Leschber) Smith, or “Bree” as family and friends knew her, passed away on Jan. 27, 2023, at the age of 87.
Born in Taylor, to parents Wilhelm “Willie” and Lena (Simank) Leschber, Betty was the youngest of four children – Wilburn Leschber, Joyce (Leschber) Koslan, and Gladys Leschber, who passed during childbirth.
Bree grew up in central Texas, attending school in Detmold and Thorndale. Never shying away from hard work, Bree often helped on the family farm, doing jobs even her family members were too squeamish to tackle. Reflecting on her childhood, Bree said she always preferred to be active and outside.
Bree married her husband, William “Tom” Smith in 1952. They were married nearly 70 years before his passing just six months ago. For 21 years, Bree and Tom traveled across the country while he served in the U.S.
Air Force. As a military spouse she also sacrificed, supporting Tom and her four children through countless deployments, including tours in Vietnam and the Pacific.
Throughout her life, Bree held tightly to her faith and love in Jesus.
Every evening, the family read the Bible together, passing down this devotion to her children. After Tom’s military retirement, the family settled in central Texas, ultimately finding their way to Thrall where they returned to farming. For Bree, this meant raising cattle, hauling hay and building fences well into her 80s. This also allowed for more time with family.
Bree and Tom hosted most gatherings, decorating for the holidays, baking wonderful desserts including Barbie birthday cakes for her granddaughters, playing the card game Spoons, offering tours of the farm on her gator, and occasionally blaring German polka music, much to the dismay of most of the family.
While she was stubborn and hardheaded, Bree was an incredibly strong person, navigating many trials and tribulations throughout her life. This is a cherished and lasting legacy that will be carried on for generations.
In her passing, Bree will be united with family and friends she loved and missed dearly. She was preceded in death by her husband, Tom; parents, Willie and Lena; and siblings, Wilburn, Joyce, and Gladys.
Bree leaves behind four children, daughters, Ivy (Lewis) Weed, Avis Smith, Iris (Melton) Guthrie and son, Willie (Donna) Smith; in addition to eight grandchildren and 13 greatgrandchildren.
