Pauline Mae Smith

Polly Smith, aged 98, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, in Port Arthur, Texas. 

Polly was born October 7, 1926, in Port Arthur, Texas to W.H. “Jimmy” Denzlinger, native of New York and Bertha Borel Denzlinger, native of Louisiana. A lifelong resident of the Port Arthur area, she was a resident of Port Neches, Texas for 43 years. 

She attended St Mary’s Catholic School and Thomas Jefferson High School in Port Arthur. At 19 she went to work for The Texas Company and retired from Texaco after thirty-seven years. Polly married Jessie I. “Smitty” Smith on April 17, 1982. They had been engaged over 20 years and Smitty and his extended family were part of Polly’s family. 

Polly is lovingly remembered by nephews: Rick Montana and wife Jennifer, Danny Montana and wife Norma Cooper, Jimmy Denzlinger, Darren Todd Denzlinger, Andy Denzlinger and Joey Denzlinger, as well as her nieces: Carolyn Montana Hathaway, Nita Montana Hollis and Rachel Denzlinger Fowler and husband Jeff Fowler. 

Polly was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her brothers, Donald “Dickie” Denzlinger, W.H. “Pete” Denzlinger and sister Ruth Denzlinger Montana. She is also preceded in death by her nephews: Jerry Denzlinger, W.H. “Hank” Denzlinger, Don Michael Denzlinger and George Denzlinger and Great Nephew David Hathaway. 

 Polly attended Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Port Arthur. Texas. A special thank you to Vicki Clark and Danny Clark for bringing her communion and Vicki taking her to church when it was possible over the past 13 years. 

No one loved her family more. Her church was central to her life, and she was a fixture in her community cheering them all on from her chair in her garage. She welcomed each new family member as they appeared and never stopped loving them when they left the family fold, moved or passed. Know that you were loved, and any omission is with regret. 

Polly made new friends wherever she went and was quite sure she knew them from sometime in her past. She enjoyed gardening, especially her roses and bluebonnets. She also enjoyed cooking for her family who looked forward to her “rice and gravy” dinners. 

Her pets Pixie, Pepper and Nickie were her devoted companions over the years. She was an avid Cowboys fan and enjoyed music and travel. 

Polly received excellent care from long time caregivers and friends Benia Garcia and Susie Lard. Thank you. 

Also thanks to the staff of Texas Total Care and Hospice for the love and care provided to Polly for the past 13 + years. 

Polly’s legacy of compassion, love and joy will be celebrated during the visitation on Sunday, February 2, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. at Clayton-Thompson Funeral Directors in Groves, Texas. A rosary will be recited at 6:00 PM. 

Rite of Committal will be held at graveside on Monday, February 3, 2025, at 10:00 AM at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Groves, Texas. 

“You know well enough that Our Lord does not look so much at the greatness of our actions, nor even at their difficulty, but at the love with which we do them.” St Theresa, the little flower.