Susan Jo Smith

Susan Jo Smith, born on May 17, 1957, in Wichita, KS, left us with her legacy of love on December 19, 2025, in Waco, TX. She was the beloved wife and partner of Arthur Frederick Smith (Fred). Susan and Fred were destined to become partners in life from the moment they noticed each other during their sophomore year at Andress High School in El Paso, TX where they “assisted” each other during exams.

Susan was a shining light in the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing her and is survived by her husband Arthur Frederick Smith; daughters Nicole L Brown and Wendy C. Hicks; son Nathan F. Smith; children-in-law Vanessa Smith, Gary Brown, and Rick Hicks; grandchildren Danielle Smith, Savannah Luna, Morgan Hicks, Masun Luna, Douglas Brown, Hailey Smith, Miles Hicks, Syriana Smith, Lainey Brown, and Mia Hicks; great grandchildren Santana and Benicio Jackson, Ryder Poggensee, Graysun and Willow Luna; and sisters Cynthia Carothers-Dell and Cathy Dickey. She was preceded in death by her mother Susie Bryant, her father Olen Carothers, and sister Connie Carothers.

A wife, a mother, a grammy too,

This is the legacy we have from you.

You taught us love and how to fight,

You gave us strength, you gave us might.

A stronger person would be hard to find,

And in your heart, you were always kind.

You fought for us all in one way or another,

Not just as a wife, not just as a mother.

For all of us you gave your best,

Now the time has come for you to rest.

So go in peace, you’ve earned your sleep,

Your love in our hearts we will eternally keep.

Susan lived a lifetime full of love for her family. From hosting New Years eve sleepovers with the grandkids to ring in the new year banging on pots and pans at 9:00 PM (Grandkids thought it was midnight for many years) to her quiet, witty, sarcasm that she would share under her breath with anyone within earshot, she lived to bring smiles and laughter to everyone she encountered.

The Celebration of Life to honor the life of Susan will be held on Friday, January 30, 2026 from 2:00 - 4:00 PM at Pecan Grove Funeral Home at 3124 Robinson Dr, Waco, TX 76706. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to the Community Cancer Association, a non-profit that works with local cancer patients and their families to address some of the financial issues that occur as a result of their health condition.