A Celebration of Life for Lewanna Louise “Tissie” Smith will be held on Monday, July 10, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. She passed away peacefully in her sleep on July 2, 2023.
Tissie aka “Aunt Tissie” or “Granny” was born on January 27, 1926, in Meadow, Texas. She was the eighth of ten children born to George and Edna Henson. Tissie learned at an early age how to bring the fun and entertain a crowd. She also learned how to cook, sew, and stir up trouble on the family farm in Terry County. She was a hard worker and smart as a whip. She worked with her brother’s wife Rosie the summer before her senior year. The job ended in October, so she then returned to school and graduated with flying colors from Meadow high school in 1941. She married Thomas Edward Smith on December 5, 1942, wearing a simple brown dress adorned with an infamous broach, a rhinestone question mark which she turned upside down. Just a tad superstitious, Tissie made sure that she and Ed turned their feet parallel to the wood floorboards, which turned out pretty well for them. They celebrated 50 years of marriage in 1992 surrounded by a host of family and friends and a party that her family still talks about to this day.
In their early years, Ed served in the Merchant Marines during WW2, leaving Tissie home with their baby daughter Rebecca Louise. Returning from his military service, Ed worked for Southwestern Public Service briefly before becoming a full-time farmer at Tarzan in Martin County, then at Tokio in Yoakum County. In 1947 they were blessed with a son, Danny Michael, and a daughter Judy followed in 1953. Tissie was an excellent farmer’s wife taking care of her children and her husband despite the long hours and uncertainty of dry land cotton farming. There were years of struggle and years of plenty, but Tissie gracefully kept her household running smoothly, supporting each child in their endeavors, never missing a school or church event, and making sure they were outfitted with enough starch in their clothes to stand up straight. She met Ed at the end of the cotton rows daily with a full thermos of coffee and a snack to keep him going. She was endlessly devoted to her family.
Tissie was a creative person who could do anything: she could sew, cook, bake, can from the garden every summer, fish, keep the books, beat you at any game, drive a tractor, refinish furniture, plan a whopper of a party, and make you laugh so hard you’d wet your britches. She was always baking or cooking a casserole for neighbors, friends, and family. She was greatly loved by her numerous nieces and nephews. To this day they fondly recall stories about Aunt Tissie and her antics. Tissie sewed clothing regularly for her daughters and granddaughters. She later whipped up costumes, and always had an endless pile of alterations for the family. She mastered quilting and sewed home decor for herself and all the family. Her door was always open, and she could whip up a meal at the drop of a hat and make sure you were well-fed and well-loved.
Tissie and Ed were able to travel for a bit after they retired from farming. They traveled with a fifth wheel and made a whole new slew of friends in their travel club. They enjoyed fishing, cookouts, and seeing new places as they made their way through Texas and neighboring states. They were often visiting family and friends along the way. She and Ed attended endless sporting events, performances, vacations, and family reunions and enjoyed many adventures with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Ed passed away in 1995 and Tissie moved to Lubbock in 1996. She later married Garland Swann of Plains, TX, and embraced his family as her own. They lived in Lubbock and kept busy with family and friends. They loved being a part of all their grand and great-grandchildren’s activities. Garland was a Pearl Harbor Survivor and he and Tissie enjoyed their time together until his passing in November of 2002.
Tissie embraced her life in Lubbock. She was an active member of Bacon Heights Baptist Church for over 20 years. She lived on a block with other seniors and regularly hosted and attended block parties and greeted newcomers with a freshly baked cake. Her home was the gathering place for us all. We celebrated many holidays with feasts she would prepare and hours of games and conversations full of laughter around the table. She loved us all unconditionally and was always available to lend an ear or a helping hand. Unfortunately, Tissie suffered from Dementia and had to leave her home and move into Carillon Memory Care where she spent the last 8 years of her life. She entertained the nurses and aides with her quick wit and sass and kept them all on their toes until the end. Although it was hard to see their mother decline, her children were there with her daily for the last three-plus years making sure she was well loved and taken care of. She was beloved by the incredible staff at Carillon who took amazing care of “Miss Tissie”. Special thanks to the nurses and aides on 1 South and later Hospice of Lubbock. Our family and Miss Tissie were blessed by each of them.
Tissie imbued every situation with wit and humor until her last days. As Maya Angelou said, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Tissie lit up every room with her warmth and shenanigans. She was our matriarch: the glue, the nucleus, the clown, and the sun we all orbited. Granny was such a force that even though she is no longer with us, she will always act as our family’s North Star.
Tissie is survived by her children, Becky and Dave Timok of Lubbock, Danny and Caroline Smith of Lubbock, and Judy Smith Field of Austin, TX; her grandchildren: Michele and husband Scott Thompson, Renae Nunez, Megan Field, Dillon Smith and wife Zabeth & Madison Smith; and her great-grandchildren: Daric, Tylrr, and Crissi Thompson, Adam and David Nunez, Oliver Land, and Creo Smith; and her great-great-grandchildren: Kamdyn, Olivia, Peyton and Charley Thompson. She is also survived by her sister Beryl Yowell and her numerous beloved nieces and nephews.
Tissie is preceded in death by her parents, George and Edna Henson; her husband, Edward Smith; her brothers Clay, Hubert, Joe and George Henson; her sisters Oleta and Ruby Henson, Francille Price, and Evelyn Thompson; nephew Alan Yowell and niece Jesse Mary Chidester.
Visitation will be in Lubbock at Lake Ridge Chapel on Sunday, July 9th from 4-6 p.m. The service will be at 2 pm Monday, July 10, at Lake Ridge Chapel. Burial will follow at Terry County Memorial Cemetery in Brownfield, TX. Memorials may be sent to Carillon Employee Fund, 1717 Norfolk, Lubbock, 79416; or Hospice of Lubbock, 3702 21st Street, Lubbock 79410.
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