1944 - 2026
Patricia Ann Mitchell Smith, 82, of Salado, lovingly known as “Pat,” left this world and entered into the presence of the Lord on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, in Temple. Pat was the youngest of four children born to Forrest Marshall Mitchell and Edna Jane Barker Mitchell in Dublin, Texas. Raised first on a dairy farm and later in Dallas, she graduated from Oak Cliff High School. After graduation, Pat and her best friend, Goldie, worked together as telephone operators in Dallas. Pat later met the love of her life, Marvin Gerald Smith, and the two were married on July 18, 1964, at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Dallas. Together they built a life filled with family, hard work, adventure, and a shared love of the outdoors and animals. Over the years, they made their homes in Brownwood, where Suzanne was born; Dallas, where Pamela was born; Pearland; Heidenheimer; Brookshire; and eventually Salado. Pat possessed a remarkable combination of strength, determination, warmth, and independence. She was a woman who was never afraid of hard work or a new challenge. Among her many accomplishments, she became the first female warehouse manager at Grocers Supply in Houston, later worked in office management and the homebuilding industry, and eventually followed her entrepreneurial spirit as the owner and operator of Texas Premier Yorkies and co-owner of the Bird Hut in Houston. Animals were among Pat’s greatest joys. She and Marvin loved gardening, raising quarter horses, dogs, and exotic birds. Her beloved Yorkies held an especially dear place in her heart, and through the dog world she formed friendships that would last a lifetime.
Pat also had a deep and enduring love for Indian Gap and proudly served as President of the Indian Gap Cemetery Association. She treasured the annual meetings, family reunions, and friendships made there. Pat often said, “One day I will have my own plot of land at the Gap.” It is fitting that the place she loved so dearly will now be her final resting place. Above all else, Pat loved her family. She was fiercely devoted to those she loved and was a source of strength, encouragement, laughter, and unwavering support throughout her life. She will be remembered not simply for the many things she accomplished, but for the way she showed up for the people she loved and the lasting impression she left on their lives.
Pat was preceded in death by her parents, Forrest and Edna Mitchell; her sister, Mary Etta Sahady; her brother, Charles Mitchell; and her beloved husband, Marvin Smith.
She is survived by her sister, Ruth Williams of Aurora, Colorado; daughters Suzanne Culp and husband Terry of Salado, and Pamela Smith of Salado; grandchildren Randall Culp of Temple, Forrest Culp of Brighton, Colorado, Preston Culp of Rainbow, Ryan Platt of Houston, and Connor Platt of Katy; five great-grandchildren; and many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends. Pat lived her life with courage, determination, faith, and a deep love for those around her. Though she will be profoundly missed, her family finds comfort knowing that she is reunited with those who went before her and is now at peace in the presence of the Lord. A celebration of Pat’s life will be held Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Riley Funeral Home in Hamilton, with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. A graveside gathering will follow at Indian Gap Cemetery in Indian Gap. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to the Indian Gap Cemetery Association Board, P.O. Box 133, Hamilton, TX 76531, in loving memory of Patricia Mitchell Smith.
Pallbearers will be Forrest Culp, Preston Culp, Ryan Platt, and Connor Platt.
