New Waverly, Texas - Lottie Sue (Bush) Smith, a lifetime resident of New Waverly, passed away peacefully at her home on January 27, 2025. She was born October 28, 1939, in Huntsville, Texas, to Alice Mabry and James Elma Bush. On August 19, 1960, Sue married her high school sweetheart W L "Dub" Smith at First Baptist Church in New Waverly. They were the parents of three children.

Sue graduated from high school and college with highest honors. Throughout high school she won State UIL contests in mathematics and spelling. Sue received Bachelor and Master Degrees from Sam Houston State College and had advanced studies. Early on she was offered a teaching position there, however, Sue went to work for Humble Oil and Refining in Houston. Following her return to New Waverly, she joined the high school faculty where she taught three generations of students in shorthand, bookkeeping, accounting, English, computer classes, and yearbook in addition to sponsoring the Beta Club which she helped organize. She was well known and highly respected in Beta Club at the national and state levels, where she was elected State Sponsor. Sue took her students to those conventions and always planned trips to include places and events to enhance their experiences. She was an accomplished pianist whose skills would have met concert standards. Sue never spoke of her numerous accomplishments and honors.

She was humble, honest, kind, and fair, qualities recognized by her students. They loved her unconditionally.

In addition to school activities Sue served many years on the Board of the New Waverly Public Library beginning with its inception. Every barbecue or spaghetti supper or garage sale was partly organized by her and she worked from beginning through the end.

Her dedication was to her family. While Dub had their kids on horses in rodeos and bringing home belt buckles and saddles and other such items, Sue saw to it that the cooler was always filled with food and drinks for them as well enough for sharing and she kept excellent scores. It was an enviable family togetherness of love and pleasure. Besides the years of rodeos and school athletic events, Sue liked to "piddle in the yard," read, play the piano, and genealogical research.

From her earliest years, Sue accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior and served Him all her life. She was church pianist, taught Sunday School, Bible School, and served those in need through the church and community. She is now in the arms of her Savior.

Sue is survived by her husband of 64 years W L "Dub" Smith, son Bruce (Linda), daughter Suzi Woods (Wilburn), and son Dean (Melissa); grandsons Ty Smith (Kelly), Trey Smith, and Mason Smith; granddaughters Morgan Bean (Blake) and Paige Atkinson (Brady); seven great-grandchildren, and her sister-in-law June Bush. Other survivors are nieces, nephews, and cousins as well as countless friends who loved her as their own. Sue was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Don Bush, and grandson Lane Smith.

Visitation will be held on Thursday evening, January 30, from 5:00-7:00 at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home, Huntsville. Funeral services will be Friday morning at 10:00 at the funeral home with Rev. Reagan Cooksey officiating. Burial will be in the Hardy Cemetery, New Waverly. Memorial condolences to the family may be made at www.shmfh.com.