VERA FAYNE (AKA JACKIE) SMITH MARITT, passed away peacefully, taking her last breath, at home,
Wednesday, September 29, 2021. Jackie was 93 years, 9 months and 14 days, but she looked in her 60s.
She was born on December 15, 1927, in Dumont, Texas, out in the country, to, Otis Cromwell and
Annabelle Flippin Smith. She was 1 of 5 children: Imo Jo Smith Ratcliff, Werdna Smith Conrad, Lee Otis
Smith and William Theodore (Dub) Smith. What a life they had. Some good and not so good.
Jackie’s long life was a full one. A graduate of Roaring Springs High School, she lived with Uncle T.O. and
Aunt Polly Flippin a couple of years, so she could finish school. She and her Aunt Polly remained best
friends until her passing, in March, 2018. They talked on the phone everyday till Aunt Polly died. Jackie
lived with her Uncle and Aunt, due to her family living out on BIRD RANCH and there were no school
buses running that far out. She met J.W. Dillard MARITT in Roaring Springs, as both the Smith and
Dillard Families were best of friends. After World War 2 and life got in the way, time, brought the two
back together, in Farmington, NM, and they married in 1951, when Cary was 5 years old. She worked
for San Juan Engineering, in Farmington, then when they moved to Shiprock, NM, she worked for,
Shiprock National Bank. In 1955, Jama was born. In 1961, J.W. and Jackie moved back to Texas where
they opened their first grocery store, East Afton General Store, East Afton, Texas. A few years later,
J.W., Jackie, and Jama, moved to Spur. Jackie ran, Ponderosa Grocery in Dickens, and after several break
ins, the family moved next to the Ponderosa, in Dickens. The family moved to Muleshoe, Texas, where
MARITT Grocery was opened, in 1970, in Lazbuddie, Texas. Also, during the 70s, Jackie opened The
Mode O Day Dress Shop, in Muleshoe.
After 23 years of marriage, the two decided to go their separate ways. Jackie worked for Lindsey
Jewelry, Fry and Cox, then Muleshoe Memorial Hospital. She was working at Fry and Cox when Cary was
killed behind the grocery store at Lazbuddie, 1976, after coming home from two tours in Vietnam, the
under ground incinerator blew up and killed him instantly. She never healed from losing her son, but
she put all her heart into her daughter and grandkids. In 1982, she moved to Las Vegas, NV, to be closer
to her mother, Annabelle. She lived there for 16 years while working for doctors, then Valley Hospital,
in ER Admitting. There were many exciting stories from her time in Vegas. The greatest was being with
her Flippin Family and her dear friends. In 1997, she moved in with Jama, then moved to Idalou, in
1998. After several procedures on her Polio leg, for circulation, she started working as head cashier at
the cafeteria at XFab/AT&T, the old Texas Instruments building, in Lubbock. She drove her handicapped
van to and from, 5 days a week for 10 years, till she was 83. As handicapped as she was, she never used
the handicapped part of her van. It was too much trouble, plus she just kept on going not to give in to
her handicap. Everyday she loved going to work, seeing all the people daily, and everyone loved to get
her hugs. She outlived most all her friends there and during her life. In 2011, when she lost her bypass
in the Polio leg, they wanted to amputate, but Dr. Overlie helped her keep it with medications. She was
one of the oldest living Polio survivors left and the Polio/Post Polio never held her back too much. It was
her heart value that wore out. In 2014, the wind blew her down at the back door and broke her hip.
After the months of getting over all that, she went from walking with her fancy cane, to a rollater
walker. Of course it had to be blinged out, because she loved bling. For many years, she never missed
her weekly trips to the beauty shop. She became very good friends with all her beauty operators over
the years, especially, Jake Black, while in Muleshoe and Dedra Dewbre, in Idalou.
She loved crossword puzzles, which she did thousands and thousands over her lifetime. That was her
stress relief. She stopped almost 2 years ago. She had a sweet collection of crosses, as well as, those
that knew her, knew of her love for roses, pink/mauve, were her colors, and can’t forget about her
collection of Tye babies/critters, that adorned her vehicle’s dash. There wasn’t a card she failed to mail,
as she loved sending greeting cards for family and friends. One of her many joys was receiving cards and
she had many, that were cherished. She was tagged, the Little ole Lady from Pasadena, by Cary’s,
Patton Springs, class, and that carried on throughout her lifetime. She was Always fun!!! There was not
a radio that wasn’t played in her house, 24/7, or her car. Her love for country music was epic. Anything
old country and classic hymns were her favorite. You probably would hear all her wind chimes making
their sounds, if you were with her at home. Jackie was a great friend and had great friends till the day
she was released from the chains of pain. One of her favorite trips was when Jama surprised her in early
90s to go on a short cruise, thanks to her sister, Werdna. Working most of her life, she didn’t get to take
many vacations, but going to Washington DC/Quantico, VA., Shenandoah Valley, area, attending her
grandkids graduations/weddings, were highlights, just to name a few. One of her top highlights, was
being in the room as Emma Grace was born. So special.
She continued to fight and be brave! In 2019, when she had her first battle with congestive heart
failure, the doctor thought she would only live a couple of months. Even last Christmas Day, she almost
died in her daughter’s arms, before she got to hospital. God decided to take her 9 months later, which
gave her family and friends a few more months. She still wanted to get well, but just couldn’t fight any
longer. She was tired. Jama took care of her mother the last 11 years. Between the Post Polio, broken
hip and congestive heart failure, she still had a sweet smile, hugs and kisses for everyone. Her sense of
humor and wit, never lingered. SHE LOVED EVERYONE!!! When her California Great Grandson Cameron
would call, he would tell her it was so good to hear her voice. She really lit up with that. She always
thought she’d get better to go walk on the beach again with her family. In her dreams, she did. The last
year, she was able to watch all special events the great grand kids participated in on the computer. That
was definitely special. Then recently, she saw Emma Grace on ESPN, cheering. She was proud of her
Grands and Great Grands for all their lifetime accomplishments.
Her business college roommate, Dorothea Taunton, Fresno, CA., 94, said Jackie was the bravest woman
she ever knew. She admired her for her strength and good business sense. Ann Williams, her 95 year
old friend from Las Vegas, said Jackie was so much fun and a great friend. Both will miss her. Lana
Johnston, Las Vegas, NV, was like a daughter to Jackie. They met when Lana was young and cleaned
Annabelle’s house. She is a very special family friend, even to this day.
Jackie was preceeded in death by parents, Otis Cromwell Smith, Annabelle Flippin Smith, son, Cary Dee
Maritt Duncan, Sister, Imo Jo Smith Ratcliff, Brother, Lee Otis Smith, many uncles, aunts, double cousins,
cousins, Aunt Polly Hardin Flippin, sister in laws, Devonne Carpenter Dillard and Dean Dillard Gunstream
Smith and many special friends.
Survivors include: Daughter, Jama Maritt, Lubbock, Brother, Dub Smith, Farmington, ,NM (Mary), Sister,
Werdna Conrad, Las Vegas, NM, Grandson’s, Brandon Brown, (Kelley), Granbury, Texas, Burton Brown,
(Penny), San Clemente, California, Granddaughter, Tina Bittmann, (Felix), Lubbock, Texas, Extended
Grands, Russell Brown, (Jennifer), Granbury, Texas, Stephanie Brown Wright, (Lance), Midland, Texas,
John Ryan, (Amanda). Great Grandkids: Hannah Burns, Emma Grace, Noah, Cameron, Emerson, Liam,
Harper, Kellan, Brown, Gunnar, Raegan Brown, Landry, Kadee Ann, and Carson Wright, Ashton and
Braylee Ryan. She was Grandma to her precious Grands and Great Grands. Nephew’s, Steve, (Sue)
Conrad, and Brent, (Patty) Conrad, Eric (Rhonda) Smith, Brad, (Ruth) Smith, Daryl, (Beth) Spraberry, Billy,
(Ami) Dillard, Niece’s, Sydni Shirley, Dana Dillard Graham, (Ross), Kim Smith Cook, Shelley Dillard
McCarthy, Toni Dillard Anson, Great Nephew’s and Niece’s, John, Chris, Ebb Thompson, Ben and Andy
Conrad, Daysha and Brayden Smith, Winnie Bret Smith, Paige Cook, Chase Cook, Brandon, Stephanie,
Blaine Conrad, and Brittany Conrad Jones, (Kasey), Jared (Hilda) Rieger, Joel, (Meranda),) Krista Dillard
Burton, (Aaron), Colin Dillard, Jenna Rose McCarthy Anderson (Ryan), Jade McCarthy Caldwell, (Gavin),
Great great nephew, Isaac Conrad.
Cousins, Ken Flippin, Tommy Flippin, Hal Flippin, Douglas Hollar, Gloria Belle Hollar Morton, Gail Hollar
Gilmore, Willona Park, Boydine Jamison, Wayne Flippin, Kay Cunningham Knowlton, Richard
Cunningham, John Smith, Curtis Smith, Everett Smith, Glendell Smith, Claude Adams, Karen Flippin, Mike
Flippin, Ann Nell Smith, (cousin in law), Faye Hollar, (cousin in law), Jenneva Dillard, (former sister in
law).
Vera Fayne (Jackie) Smith Maritt will Lay in State at Ellis Funeral Muleshoe on Friday, October, 8, 2021.
A celebration of her life will be at the Roaring Springs Cemetery, 2pm., Monday, October 11, 2021., with
Elizabeth Abraham offciating.
Please...All planning to attend are invited to eat lunch at 12 noon, Full Gospel Church in Roaring Springs.
Jackie would want you to eat, visit, and never go hungry.
Pallbearers are: Brandon Brown, Burton Brown, Russell Brown, Ken Flippin, Hal Flippin, Brent Conrad,
Felix Bittmann
Special Love and Thank you to Susy Rogers Torres, caregiver for 2 years. Dear Friend, Juanita Vitela. All
bathers and nurses from Phoenix Home Health, St. Gabriel’s Hospice, Hospice of Lubbock and, Caprock
Home Health, Dr. Paul Overlie (retired), Dr. James Grattan, Dr. Joshua Hill, Dr. Hemmo Bosscher, Dr.
Thomas Nicholson, and Dr. Ben Fluman. Also to Brad Anderson and family of Honeychild Catering.
For donations, please send to the Roaring Springs Cemetery, attn: Kelly Keltz, Box 83, Roaring Springs,
Texas,79256
IT IS FAITH THAT LIFTS US UP…LOVE THAT BRINGS US COMFORT…STRENGTH THAT ALLOWS US TO
MOVE ON…May you be touched by the power of prayer, feel the warmth of those who love you, and
realize you have the courage to carry on!
GOD SAW YOU GETTING TIRED AND A CURE WAS NOT TO BE…SO HE PUT HIS ARMS AROUND YOU AND
WHISPERED, “COME WITH ME.”. WITH TEARFUL EYES, WE WATCHED YOU SUFFER AND SAW YOU FADE
AWAY. ALTHOUGH WE LOVED YOU DEARLY, WE COULD NOT MAKE YOU STAY. A GOLDEN HEART
STOPPED BEATING; A SPECIAL WOMAN WAS PUT TO REST. GOD BROKE OUR HEARTS TO PROVE HE
ONLY TAKES THE BEST.
Revelations 21:4
AND GOD SHALL WIPE AWAY ALL TEARS FROM THEIR EYES; and THERE SHALL BE NO MORE DEATH,
NEITHER SORROW, NOR CRYING, NEITHER SHALL THERE BE ANY MORE PAIN: FOR THE FORMER THINGS
ARE PASSED AWAY.
Online condolences may be made at ellisfuneralhomes.com