Katie Simcik Smith

    Katie Simcik Smith, 96, passed away April 26, 2019 following a brief illness. She was born in Robstown, Texas on Nov. 27, 1922 to the late Paul and Eunice Simcik.     Katie was a member of the First Baptist Church of Edna; in earlier years she served in the children's department. her hobbies included working cross word puzzles, playing and winning table games with family, working in the yard and collecting milk glass.    Katie was raised helping with chores on the family farm and spent many hot South Texas days picking cotton with her siblings. Upon completing high school, Katie joined Defensive Training at the Corpus Christi Naval Air Station and took great pride in belonging to the "Rosie The Riveter" brigade. While serving in this capacity, she met and married a very handsome Navy boy, Joe Smith, who was also serving God and Country that they both loved. Their 69 year marriage was a treasure and greatly admired.     She was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband, Joe; brothers P.M. and David Simcik; and sisters Polly Mullins, Marie Toole and Eva Kissinger.     Katie is survived by her two daughters and their husbands, Rona and Tillman Hunt, and Kathy and Ron Taylor; granddaughters and their husbands Kari and Lee Lemmons, Rhonda and David Brown, grandsons and their wives; Hunter and Kimberly, Heath and Lori Karl, and Hayden and Angela Karl; nine great-grandchildren, two great-great granddaughters and host of nieces, nephews and faithful family and friends.     There was a visitation on Monday, April 29, 2019 from noon until 1:30 p.m. followed by a graveside service at 2 p.m. at Memory Gardens of Edna with Joe McClanahan officiating.       Services have been entrusted to Russell Todish of Slavik Funeral Home, Edna, 361-771-8313.