Leona Smith

Miss Leona Smith was born in 1931 in Altair, Texas. She was raised in the church, baptized at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church in Altair, Texas. She later moved her membership to Houston, Texas and joined the Christian Home Missionary Baptist Church ending her service there under Pastor Lucious L. Davis.

Miss Leona graduated from E.H. Henry High School in Eagle Lake, Texas. Upon graduation, she moved to Houston, Texas and began a career in private home care along with attending Houston Business School to become a secretary; however, her path was altered by her love of cooking when she accepted a position with the Houston Independent School District, working as a cook. She quickly excelled there and retired from there after 30+ years of service as Cafeteria Manager at Ross S. Sterling High School.

Miss Leona loved to cook and continued treating her family and friends to her food, most famously her made from scratch, gingerbread. She was also a family historian, who remembered most of her families ages and their birthdates.

In July 2021, Miss Leona Smith was given a proclamation by the Mayor and City of Columbus, Texas for her 90 years of life.

Miss Leona Smith went home to be with the Lord on December 11, 2021 at the age of 90. She is survived by two sisters: Betty and Sandra (Terry); two sisters-in-law: Bea and Muriel; special nieces: Teressa and Sharlotte; one special nephew: Lester (Frauke); extended family: Mercedes, Larry, Kailee, Cynthia (Grady), and Cordero; and a host of numerous nieces, nephews, and other extended family.

To celebrate Leona's life, the family has entrusted the professional services to Ben Davis Funeral Home, 931 Preston St., Columbus, TX 78934.

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