Wilma Smith

Funeral services for Wilma Smith, 94, of Decatur, Texas, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 23, 2025, at Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport, with burial to follow at Eastside Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Friday, August 22, 2025, at the funeral home. Pastor Phillip Fortenberry will officiate.

Pallbearers will include Landon Smith, Chance Smith, Zach Smith, Luke Smith, Cooper Smith, Cole Smith, and Ed Selz.

Wilma Wayne (Whitten) Smith was born on December 5, 1930, in Stephenville, Texas, to David and Adele (Earp) Whitten. She passed away peacefully on August 19, 2025, in Decatur, Texas, at the age of 94.

Growing up on a ranch, Wilma was the oldest of five siblings and served as her father's ranch helper. In her teenage years, she met the love of her life, E.L. Smith, Jr., at Cisco High School, where she proudly twirled as a majorette. The two were married on June 5, 1948, and shared a happy and fulfilling marriage for an incredible 72 years.

Wilma was known for being a wonderful homemaker, dedicated to her family. She loved sewing clothes for her children and was a fantastic cook, with her cinnamon rolls being a beloved favorite during holiday gatherings. Her nurturing spirit extended beyond her home: while living in Bridgeport, she taught Sunday school and actively participated in the local garden club.

As life unfolded, Wilma and E.L. moved to the Dallas area for his work. During this time, she continued her passion for gardening. She attended flower shows and grew award-winning daylilies that charmed many. Wilma served her communities well by holding local, regional, and state offices in various flower and garden clubs. Her dedication to gardening even led her to become an accredited flower show judge at both the state and national level.

Throughout her life, Wilma cultivated deep friendships imbued with warmth and kindness. She was a devoted caregiver to her family, especially to her husband E.L., showcasing her love and commitment over the decades they shared together.

Her family and friends will remember Wilma for her caring nature, her remarkable talents, and the beautiful legacy of love she has left behind.

Wilma is preceded in death by her husband, E.L. Smith, Jr.; daughter, Laura Selz; parents, David and Adele Whitten; sister, Mary Nell Dicus; grandson, Dr. Heath Smith; great-grandchildren, Emma Smith, Wyatt Smith, and Noah Smith; sister-in-law, Janie Whitten; and nephew, Zach Whitten.

Those left to cherish Wilma’s memory are her sons, Johnny and wife Linda, Rick and wife Joyce, Sean and wife Michelle; son-in-law, Milton and wife Karen; brothers, David Whitten and Jack Whitten and wife Judie; sister, Jean Edwards and husband Neal; grandchildren, Cooper Smith, Kaycee Maxwell and husband Clint, Ed Selz and wife Jenn, Landon Smith and wife Ashley, Cole Smith, Andrea Smith, Chessi Curtner and husband David, Chance Smith, Zach Smith, and Luke Smith and fiancé Ashlyn; great-grandchildren, Paxton, Colin, Landry, Harper, Beckham, Paisley, Molly, Sam, Charlotte, David Paul, Carver, and Jack; and a host of friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Dr. Heath Smith Memorial Foundation at First Financial Bank in Bridgeport, Texas.

© (Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home)

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This obituary is a work protected under international and federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this compiled work may be reproduced, altered, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author.

The author hereby grants the newspaper the right to publish the compiled work on the dates and location provided in the submission details and further grants to the newspaper the right to reproduce the work electronically in any website or digital medium owned or controlled by the newspaper, provided the copy is not altered or modified in any way. The funeral home’s website domain must accompany any reproduction of the work. The work must not be used for or by any person for direct commercialized gain in competition with the author, the funeral home, or their respective businesses.