Lela Faye Smith

Lela Smith, 84, of Bedias and formerly of Madisonville, passed away May 7, 2021 in Stephenville, Texas. She was born July 19, 1936 in Centerville, Texas to T.C. & Veda (Goolsby) King. She worked most of her life in the Madison County Tax Assessor-Collector’s office and was a resident of Madisonville for fifty-five years. She had resided in Bedias the last eight years. Lela found great joy in her family. Her happiest moments were spent with her loved ones.

Lela also enjoyed loving and serving others. She never forgot a face and was consistently keeping up with acquaintances and loved ones who may have only met her a handful of times. She loved continuing and fostering meaningful relationships. Everyone was an old friend and she would give anything to help a friend in need. Her years were spent giving of herself. Lela found joy in participating in multiple fundraisers and calls for donation to any family or individual in need. Her benevolent spirit encouraged many of her peers as she gave to her church, community, family and friends.

Lela was preceded in death by both of her parents; husband, Charles Lynn Smith; brothers, T.C., Jr., Roy and James King; sister, Ann Haughey and great-granddaughter, Kyleigh Rabe.

Surviving family members include sons, Joey Lynn (Suzanne H.) Smith of Madisonville and Charles King (Sylvia) Smith of Stephenville; daughter, Lisa Ann (Bobby) Brown of Bedias; five grandchildren, Jerald Kent Brown, Kristen Lyn Rabe, Jamie Lynn Smith, Amber Jill Hoke and Ashley Jill Doucet; seventeen great-grandchildren and sisters, Wanda Lively of Plano and Mary Lively of Dallas.

Funeral services for Mrs. Smith will take place 10 A.M., Friday, June 11, 2021 at Bedias Baptist Church, Bedias, Texas. Interment will follow in Madisonville Cemetery, Madisonville, Texas. A public visitation will take place Thursday, June 10th from 6 P.M. to 8 P.M. at Madisonville Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the Smith family requests that memorial donations be made to the Bedias Baptist Church, Jerald & Cindia Brown Scholarship Fund or Angel Adoption Fund. Checks may be made out to Bedias Baptist Church with the fund named in the memo and mailed to Bedias Baptist Church, P.O. Box 176, Bedias, Texas 77831.

All arrangements are under the direct care of Madisonville Funeral Home, Madisonville, Texas.