Birdell Smith

"One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek, inquire for and require; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life...Psalms 27:4 On July 18, 2016, Birdell Smith age,71, gained her angel wings. She transitioned peacefully at Harbor Hospice in Houston, Texas after a struggle with ALS. Birdell was born on November 26, 1944 in Smackover, Arkansas the daughter of Brodie and Pearlie Hicks Bailey. She accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Sweet Home Baptist Church. Birdell attended High School at Smackover Training School and later went on to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in Education from Arkansas A&M in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Its often said that what matters most is not when you were born, or when you died, but what you did with that dash in between. Birdell. Birdell's dash was filled with life, love, and a constant pursuit of happiness. Upon graduation, she moved to Detroit, Michigan where she met and married John Smith. From this union, three children were born. They later relocated to Houston, Texas where she raised her children. Birdell taught elementary school in the Houston area(Aldine ISD and Fort Bend ISD) for over 30 years, retiring in 2010. Over the years, she impacted the lives of thousands of students and teachers. A consummate entrepreneur, she had a zest for life and lived it to the fullest. After retiring from education. Birdell obtained a certificate in real estate and was an active realtor in the Houston area. She will surely be missed for her warm demeanor and positive attitude. She is preceded in death by her parents, her twin brother, Adell Bailey, and her sister, Cornealous Martin. She leaves to cherish her memory, her significant other of over 20 years, Leo Vilts; her three children, daughter Lawonda Smith; her sons, John Smith(Nicole) and Leonard Smith(Jasmine) all of Houston, Texas; 7 grandchildren; Jordan, Jada, Lynnden, Naomi, Elijah, Lathan and Travis. She is also survived by her siblings, Melmaleen Woodruff of Wellington, Alabama, Brodie McElroy of Mountain Pine, Arkansas, Aaron Bailey of Smackover, Arkansas, Norma Jean Johnson of Dayton, Ohio and Nancy Blacknell of Houston, Texas; as well as a host of niece, nephews, cousins and other family and friends. Funeral will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, July 24, at Sweet Home Baptist Church in Smackover with the Rev. Moses Woodruff officiating. Interment will follow in the Hick Cemetery under the direction of the Sims Mortuary Staff. Visitation at the funeral home will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday July 23,2016. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Birdell Smith, please visit our flower store.