Mary Lee Smith

Mary Lee Smith, age 80, of Bastrop, TX died peacefully and surrounded by her family on May 12, 2025 after a years-long struggle with vascular dementia.

Mary was born in Long Beach, CA, but moved to Corpus Christi, TX at a very young age. She graduated from Roy Miller High School in 1963 and spent almost 25 years employed at Ford Motor Credit at offices in Corpus Christi and later Austin, TX.

She moved to Elgin, TX in 1986 and attended First United Methodist Church Elgin for 20 years including being a founding member of their Kitchen Ministry that is still in existence today.

Mary loved to cook and many activities revolved around food, family, and friends. She cooked for church members, family, and after her retirement, began catering events as well as making and decorating cakes for weddings, birthdays, and other celebrations. She and Henry later purchased an RV and lived 10 years in Buchanan Dam, TX where they hosted many gatherings on their patio with their RV park neighbors.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Ulie & Bessie Knioum and sister, Dorothy Sedgwick. She is survived by her husband of 52 years Henry, daughter Lorna (Tim) Lowke, stepson Matt Smith, grandchildren Lane, Maren (Jacob Bryant), and Reed Lowke, brother Jimmy (Chris) Knioum, as well as many nieces, nephews, and brother/sisters-in-law.

A private service will be held at a later date.