June 12, 1932 – July 14, 2024

IN LOVING MEMORY OF

OF

MILDRED RUTH SMITH🌹

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.”

– John15:5-8NKJV

Mildred Ruth Smith truly loved the Lord with all her heart and soul and expressed it every morning through her prayers and singing to Him.  Reared in a Christian home, Mildred accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age.  Her faith was always that the Lord’s grace and mercy surrounded her. 

Mildred Ruth, aka Baby Ruth, born June 12, 1932, in Houston, Texas was the second-born of Isaac James Hodges and Tyler Mae Vick-Hodges.  Her siblings were James Harold, William and Patricia. 

Mildred attended elementary school in Princeville, Texas, a community outside of Gonzales, Texas, where her father was the Principal and her mother was a Teacher.  She attended Jack Yates Senior High School beginning in the 8th grade, excelling in her classes, graduating in 1948 at the age of 16 after earning credits through summer school.  After graduating from Yates, Mildred was accepted to Prairie A&M University (PV), Prairie View, Texas studying Physical Education and Health Science.  While at PV, she was a cheerleader for the mighty Panthers.  She graduated from PV in 1952 with honors at the age of 20.  Her teaching career began at Charlton Pollard Senior High School in Beaumont, Texas for four years.  In 1955, she married Roland Daniel Smith Sr who preceded her in death.  From this union, she became the mother of Debra, Roland Jr. (Danny) and Rodney. Mildred returned to Houston and in the Fall of 1957, she began teaching at Evan E. Worthing Senior High School, retiring in 2003.

An active member of the community, Mildred participated in various organizations.  Some of which included the Oak Manor University Woods Civic Club where she a multiple first place winner for her beautifully decorated yard for Christmas.  She was also active in the Houston Association of Retired Teachers and Angels Surviving Cancer.  Because of her stellar career at Worthing Senior High School, she was honored for her 46 year tenure as a Physical Education teacher and head of the Rangerettes and the Cheerleaders.

Mildred loved celebrations, especially cooking her famous peach cobbler pies, fried chicken wings and gumbo.  It was a joy for her to share her delectable delights with family and friends.  She also loved thrift store shopping; buying not only for herself, but for anyone else she thought would appreciate what she was buying. And let’s not forget, she loved to dance!

Mildred loved church.  She was a member of Fourth Missionary Baptist Church before joining Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church.  She became a member the summer of 1963 after her daughter accepted Christ at Wheeler’s Vacation Bible School.  She would often say, “And a child shall lead”.  A faithful servant, she was honored to serve under the leadership of her beloved pastor, Reverend William A. Lawson. She was one of twelve members of the first adult choir at Wheeler Avenue.  Mildred along with Dorothy Booker and Jean Jones were the first praise dancers at the Wheeler.  She participated in various ministries, Cade Circle, Cancer Ministry, Celestial Choir, Faith and Works Sunday School, Seasoned Saints Wednesdays, and the Wedding Council.  Every Sunday, Mildred would attend service in high praise to the God that was keeping her!

Mildred is preceded in death by her parents, Isaac James Hodges and Tyler Mae Vick-Hodges, her brothers, James Harold Hodges and William Hodges, and sister, Patricia Hodges-Thomas.  Her legacy will live on through her children, Debra Smith-Stevens, Roland Smith Jr. and Rodney Smith (Viviana); her grandchildren, Spayne Smith (Teresa), Leonard-Jamal Stevens (Jessica), Nicholas Smith, Paige Smith, Jacob Smith, Kai Smith and Ty Smith and her great-grandchildren, Syncere Smith, Jayden Woods-Stevens, Spayne Smith Jr., Roland Smith, Jack Smith and Leah Smith and many other family members and friends.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY

FOR THE THINGS HE HAS DONE!