Alice Rachel Williams Smith peacefully passed from this life to eternal life on Friday evening, August 12, 2022. For more than 89 years, Alice was a woman of faith who poured herself into her family as a dedicated daughter, sister, wife, mother, "Gammy/Gammie/Grammy," and "Great Gammy." She was a loyal and faithful friend. In all of her relationships, she embodied the unconditional love and mercy of God. Her passing from life on this earth will leave a void in the lives of those who remain, but the legacy that Alice leaves will continue to inspire and impact her loved ones for generations to come. Born January 25, 1933, in Normal, Illinois, to Walter Ewert Williams and Edna Pearl Silknitter Williams, she was the younger sister of now 93-year-old Elizabeth Ruth Williams Huffman, of Colville, Washington. Alice grew up as a United Methodist pastors daughter in rural Illinois and frequently visited her grandparents at their nearby farms. As a child, her hobbies were singing, gardening, and baking. When in high school, her parents, sister, and she moved to California, as her father was appointed to a United Methodist Church in Pomona. She graduated as valedictorian from Pomona Academy in 1945. Her parents and she then moved to Tucson, Arizona, for the warmer weather, as her fathers health was failing. While attending Sunday school in January 1954, a young U.S. Army officer just returning from the Korean War caught Alices eye; she and Ralph Lindon Smith, Jr. were married later that year on August 28, 1954. Alice and Ralph (Tucsons and later Dallas version of The Honeymooners) started their family, welcoming Eric Richard in 1956 and Donald Alan in 1959. Ralph taught high school history and basketball while Alice was the quintessential homemaker. They moved to Dallas, Texas, in 1962 with their two sons, Eric and Donald, so Ralph could attend seminary at Perkins School of Theology at SMU. Alice and Ralph were actively involved in the United Methodist Church and always attending their young sons games, be it football, baseball or basketball. In fact, because her older son had a baseball game one August afternoon, she and Ralph delayed welcoming their daughter, Nancy Elizabeth, into the world until the following morning, August 3, 1965. In 1974, the family moved to Irving, Texas, where they served Kirkwood United Methodist Church and First United Methodist Church of Euless. In 1980, they became an active part of Plymouth Park United Methodist Church and faithful members of the Namaste Class. Alice was involved in the United Methodist Women, served as an officer of the Delta Delta Delta Mothers Club at SMU, and was involved with the spouse groups of the Military Order of the World Wars, the Korean War Veterans, and the Armys 23rd Infantry Division. As the children grew older, Alice worked as a legal secretary in Dallas for Thomas A. Melody, and served as Mr. Melodys administrative assistant for more than thirty years until his death. In addition to her parents, Alice was predeceased by her loving husband, Ralph, in May of 2020. Shortly following Ralphs passing, Alice was moved to Tyler. There, she was lovingly and tirelessly cared for by her eldest child, Eric, and his wife Lori. Her spirits were lifted by frequent visits from children, Nancy and Don, and special visits from her grandchildren and great grandchildren. The family is grateful for the staff of Meadow Lake Senior Living and The Hospice of East Texas for the palliative care during Alices hospice journey, and for the compassion and love offered by her caregivers, Judy and Kim. Alice is survived by her children; son Dr. Eric Richard Smith and wife Lori of Tyler; son Donald Alan Smith and wife Amy of Austin; daughter Nancy Elizabeth Smith of Washington, D.C.; grandchildren, Emily Elizabeth Smith-Buster and husband Brian of Austin; Andrew Jarvis Smith of Austin; Preston Alan Sagastegui-Smith and wife Veronica of Brooklyn, New York; Matthew David Smith and wife Kristen of London, England; and Madeline Grace Priester and husband Jeffrey of New York City, New York; and two great grandchildren, Alice Elizabeth Buster (Alices namesake) and Henry James Buster of Austin. She is also survived by nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and a host of loving friends. On Friday, August 26, from 6 to 8 p.m., all are invited to a public viewing at Donnellys Colonial Funeral Home, 606 West Airport Freeway in Irving. On Saturday, August 27, at 11 a.m., all are invited to a funeral service to celebrate Alice's life at Plymouth Park United Methodist Church, 1615 W. Airport Freeway, Irving, Texas. For those unable to attend in person, this service will be available by livestream or anytime thereafter at this link: https://youtu.be/mq7fWAt0oE0. The Saturday, August 27, funeral service will be preceded by a 10 a.m. public viewing at the church, and will be followed by a reception at the church. At 1:30 p.m. (immediately following the reception at the church), all are invited to gather for the burial service in the Garden of Faith at Restland Funeral Home and Cemetery, 13005 S. Greenville, Avenue, Dallas, TX 75243. Contributions in Alice's memory may be given to Plymouth Park United Methodist Church, 1615 W. Airport Freeway, Irving, TX 75062 (www.ppumc.net) or to The Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, TX 75701 (www.hospiceofeasttexas.org). SERVICES

Visitation

Friday, August 26, 2022 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Colonial Funeral Home 606 West Airport Freeway Irving, TX 75062

Visitation

Saturday, August 27, 2022 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Plymouth Park United Methodist Church 1615 West Airport Freeway Irving, TX 75062

Funeral Service

Saturday, August 27, 2022 11:00 AM

Plymouth Park United Methodist Church 1615 West Airport Freeway Irving, TX 75062

Committal Service

Saturday, August 27, 2022 1:30 PM

Restland Memorial Park 9220 Restland Road Dallas, Texas 75382