Melissa “Mitzi” Smith, beloved mother, grandmother, and friend passed away on March 22, 2025, in Groves, Texas. Born as Melissa Ruth Patterson on August 16, 1949, in Port Arthur, Texas, she was the daughter of the late Melvin and Ruth Patterson.
She was known as an encourager to everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her. Her warmth and kindness touched many lives. She crafted beautiful, crocheted baby blankets, prayer shawls, and scarves which brought comfort to many. Mitzi lived a life that testified to her love of Jesus and faith in Him. She was an active member of her church and loved to serve whether it be praying, sending cards, giving handmade crochet items, baking or cooking. Her church family and ladies’ prayer group were very special to her. She had wonderful friends she loved that would meet on Fridays for lunch and “Sing Along’ nights, too. Most importantly, her pride in her family was evident to all. She cherished her children and grandchildren but in recent years she took great joy in her three new great grandsons. She was the keeper of the animal crackers, mints, and the best hugs.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Melvin and Ruth Patterson and stepmother, Betty Patterson. She is survived by her daughter, Leah Garess and her husband Mike of Woodville, and her son, Steve Smith of Kountze. Her grandchildren, who called her Nana, are Melissa McCullough and her husband Josh, Laura Garess, Aaron Garess and his wife Savannah, and Sterling Smith and his wife Erica. Mitzi’s joy multiplied with the arrival of her great-grandchildren, Noah McCullough, Rhett McCullough, and Dawson Garess. Additionally, she is remembered by her brother, Leo "Bubba" Patterson and his wife Deborah.
A visitation honoring her life will be held on March 27, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at Bridge City United Pentecostal Church, located at 2056 Round Bunch Road in Orange, Texas and the funeral service from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. A graveside service will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Nederland.
As we gather to celebrate Mitzi's life, we reflect on her kind heart and joyful spirit. Her presence will be profoundly missed, yet her memory will be cherished within the hearts of those she loved.