Winfred Maxine Shedd Smith

Winfred Maxine Shedd Smith passed from this life into eternal life on July 2, 2025, on her 92nd birthday. She was born July 2, 1933, in Leesville, Texas. She is now in the presence of her Lord and Savior, about whom she sang throughout her life. She is now reunited with the love of her life, her husband Jerry Solon Smith, and with family members and friends who have gone on before.

Maxine grew up on a family farm just outside of Taft, Texas, and graduated from Taft High School. She met her husband, Jerry, a young preacher, shortly after her high school graduation. She was a beautiful songbird in the local church choir. They soon fell in love and married a year later. She supported his work as a pastor and missionary, and served alongside him in Puerto Rico, Tortola British Virgin Islands, Peru, Mexico, and across the United States with four children in tow. Traveling as a team, Maxine presented a musical message prior to his sermons as they deputized and ministered in foreign countries. Her signature song was, “I’ll Tell the World that I’m a Christian.” She often played the accordion and led in Children’s and Music ministry. Jerry and Maxine completed their professional service upon Jerry’s death in 2007. A testimony of God’s faithfulness, many churches continued to support her in retirement as a missionary’s widow.

Maxine is preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Solon Smith, her son, Jerry Daniel Smith, her parents, Walter Leonard Shedd and Susie Viola O’Neal Shedd; and her siblings, Ronald Jack Shedd (Cathy), Edmonia Ozell Shedd Lightfoot (D.R.), and Doris Jackie Shedd Kneisly Holmes (Harold).

She is survived by her children, Linda Lee Smith Bowen Perez (Atilano V. Perez), Deborah Annette Smith Wheelock (Russell), and Darryl Benjamin Smith; grandchildren, Lisa Bowen-Bender (Chad), Timothy Bowen (Kristin), Charity Bowen-Miller (Troy), Jerry “JD” Smith Jr., (Shannon), Clarence “Ben” Smith (Brooke), Timothy Bowen (Kristin), Joshua Wheelock, Ginger Wheelock Kalifa (Art), Jason Wheelock (Becca), Nathaniel Smith, David “DR” Smith, Rhonda Smith Ponce (Tony), Dylan Smith, Woodrow Smith, Paul Shedd, and Jack Shedd. She is also survived by thirteen great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

The Smith family will receive friends and relatives on Saturday, July 5, 2025, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, July 6, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home. Following the service, Maxine will be laid to rest at Mont Meta Memorial Park.