Obituary of Martha H. Smith

Martha H. Smith was born Martha Evelyn Hickson on July 18, 1921, in Roswell, New Mexico to A.A. and Clara Dell Hickson. She was the youngest of 5 sisters and had 2 older brothers and 2 younger. At 101 years of age, she was the last surviving of the 9 siblings. In 1941, she married Ed Jennings in Roswell, N.M., where they had 3 children – Ronald (Ronnie) Jennings, Dana Garlow and Gary Jennings. During her time with Ed, besides raising her 3 children and many others, she was a professional seamstress and began sewing for celebrity entertainers on the Louisiana Hayride and the Grand Ole Opry, making chief shirts for men and squaw dresses for the ladies. She was very active in PTA work, serving as president several times, Area Council and active in the Extension Clubs (Home Economics). She never slowed down. She was an extraordinary cook and all of her kids’ friends knew it. She always had the door open for anyone and always had the coffee pot turned on. After Ed’s passing from Leukemia in 1963, Martha moved to Dallas with Gary and 5 years later, married Melvin (Mel) Smith. They were married for 18 years and she became an avid golfer with Mel. Mel passed away in 1986, and Martha moved to Sun City West, Arizona where she continued to play golf and made many friends. She later chose to return to New Mexico and built a house on the 4th green at Cree Meadows Golf Course, in Ruidoso, N.M., just 70 miles from Roswell. After having an accident on a golf cart, she was unable to stay in Ruidoso and moved to Allen, TX with her son Gary, where she resided the last 12 years. Martha had 3 children. Ronald passed away on September 10, 2018; Dana lives in Allegan, Michigan, and Gary still resides in Allen, TX. Martha is survived by 7 grandchildren – Lance and Brent Garlow and Brent’s wife Barbara in Schoolcraft, Michigan; Rhonda Lopez and husband Marc in Racine, WI; Reneé Martin and husband Chad in Milton, WI; Branden Jennings and wife Kirsten in Katy, TX; Molly Shew and husband Hunter in Gainesville, TX; Amanda Jennings in Dallas, TX – and 12 great-grandchildren – Sierra Cicchelli and husband Chris; Ethan Garlow; Rowan Garlow; Maya and Luca Lopez; Beau Roach; Bryce and wife Lizbet Roach; Cadence and Maddy Shew; Marcus Jennings Murphy and wife Kaitlyn, Darian Jones, Jaeden Joseph, step-granddaughter, Kaitlyn Reigle; 2 great-grandsons Jordon and Brayden Cicchelli; and step great great granddaughter, Addison Hack; 8 amazing nephews and nieces, many greats and great greats, and one niece that was with her so much, she called her daughter from another mother – Teresa Corn. Martha’s funeral to celebrate her life will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at Merit Memorial Funeral Home, 12801 N. Stemmons Freeway #803, Farmers Branch, TX (near Dallas) followed by intermittent Graveside/Memorial Service on Thursday, May 11, 2023, 2:00 PM at South Park Cemetery, 3101 S. Main St., in Roswell, NM.