Nettie Faye Smith

Our beloved mother, Nettie Faye Smith — known to all as Mini and Mini the Great — went home to be with Jesus on Sunday, June 15, 2025, at the age of 99 years and 4 1/2 months, surrounded by the love of her family. She lived a long, beautiful life marked by faith, grace, and quiet strength.

The dictionary defines “selfless” as being more concerned with the needs and wishes of others than with one’s own. We define it as Mini.

Born on February 1, 1926, in Throckmorton, Texas (though she’d always say Breckenridge, because “no one knew where Throckmorton was”), she was the daughter of Walter David Hunt and Mittie Lou Stewart. From an early age, she worked hard to help her family and carried that servant-hearted spirit throughout her life.

On March 9, 1946, she married the love of her life, William Culpepper Smith, Jr., at the courthouse in Breckenridge. Together they raised six children and built a life rooted not in material wealth, but in the riches that truly last—faith, family, and love.

Mini was known for her incredible home-cooked meals, especially her famous biscuits and gravy. Her home was always open, her hugs healing, and her foot rubs legendary. She made every guest feel like family and somehow made each person feel like the most special one in the room. She played no favorites, yet loved everyone uniquely and fiercely. Her love was steady, generous, and unconditional.

Music was always playing as she cleaned, and singing and laughter were never far behind. She loved bowling—was very, very good at it—and won many tournaments. Her competitive spirit was matched only by her warmth. Mini would always create new words by adding “fied” to the end. Sometimes she made them up and other times they were real. Either way she always had us laughing. Scary-fied, petri-fied, spooky-fied, chilly-fied, rainy-fied, tasty-fied, you name it. Her handwritten notes were treasures, always drawing a picture of her with outstretched arms saying “I love you this much.”

She never let anyone leave without a long hug. And every time we said goodbye, she would walk outside and wave until we were completely out of sight. If you were lucky, you got her signature farewell—“Got ya last tag”—a playful touch on the arm that lingered like a blessing long after the drive home. Being with her felt like home—safe, simple, and sacred.

Nettie was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend. She was deeply loved by her family and adored by all who knew her. She served others not for recognition, but from a heart overflowing with love. Her prayers were powerful, her laughter contagious, her spirit gentle and strong. A true peacemaker, she carried the light of Christ wherever she went.

She is survived by her children Gean, Judee and husband Michael, Johnny, Debbee, Dale and wife Jan; her sister-in-law Sheridan; her grandchildren Chad and wife Taylor, Britnee and husband David, Granger and wife Amber, Tyler, Parker and wife Amy, Christal and husband James, Ashley, Colton; and her great-grandchildren London, Lincoln, Maverick, Layla, David, and Benjamin, plus numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, her parents, her eldest son Garry, her sons-in-law Chris Smith and Steve Ray, her great-grandson River, and her siblings.

Mini’s funeral will be held on Saturday, June 28, at 2 p.m., at Callaway-Jones Funeral Home at 3001 South College Avenue, Bryan, Texas 77801.

Her life was a gift. Her love, a legacy.

“Her children rise up and call her blessed.” — Proverbs 31:28

That was Mini. She didn’t just raise children, she raised generations who saw her as a blessing.