Nancy Marie Regina Potts Smith, a true angel on Earth, passed September 1, 2022, earning her heavenly wings at age 84. Born August 29, 1938, in Johnstown, Pennsylvania to the late Ida Marie (Valenti) Garland and James Robert Potts of Pennsylvania, Nancy, also lovingly known as Mom, Grandma, Grammy, and Granny Smith, was married to the late John E. (Jack) Smith for over 60 years. She was the matriarch of a very large family with 6 children, 16 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.
Nancy graduated from Blairsville High School in Blairsville, PA in 1956. She was raised Roman Catholic and was a parishioner at St. Jerome Catholic Church in Houston, TX.
She was a jack of all trades and had a variety of roles in life including holding various secretarial roles in Latrobe, PA, Pleasant Hill, CA, and as an assistant at Nightco Leasing Company in Joplin, MO. Nancy worked for many years as a bookkeeper for Mendel, Gaudette, and Long, CPA in Houston. After her last son graduated from school, Nancy went back to college at age 52, earning her Associate Degree in Applied Science Legal Studies. She then became a paralegal for Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse (AVDA) in Houston where she worked until she retired at age 73, helping many families during that time.
Nancy had gumption—always on a new adventure, planning trips to different places and “on the go”. She had a wonderful sense of humor, was always a loyal friend, and was described as the Energizer Bunny. She was involved in many associations and clubs and was the Queen of the Red Hat Society. She was voted as Woman of the Year for the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) and was a certified ombudsman for the Texas Department of Aging and Disabilities where she won a Prestigious Honor award. Nancy, a dedicated citizen, also worked the electoral polls (including the role as a judge) for the State of Texas for many years. In addition, she belonged to the Friendship Force, St. Anthony’s Women’s Club, volunteered at local Houston theatres, and participated in her Pokeno Group with friends for over 30 years. Throughout the years she made a plethora of friends from all her involvement. In life, she wanted to be remembered as being a good person who cared for others and instilled the same in her family.
Nancy is preceded in death by her husband Jack who passed on June 20, 2021; mother Ida Marie (Valenti) Garland; father James Potts and stepfather Paul Garland; grandmother Mary (Caminati) Valenti; sisters Ida Marie Falbo and Paula Jean Celesnik; mother-in-law Mary (McGinnis) Watkins; fathers-in-law Chauncey Watkins and Paul Smith; brothers-in-law Charles Smith, Harry Smith, James Watkins, Chauncey Watkins Jr., Jerry Watkins, and Wil Schweitzer; sister-in-law Kate Smith; son-in-law Richard Staudt; grandchild Bryn Owen; nephews Drew Potts and Toby Nave; and niece Denise Smith.
Nancy is survived by her brother Ronald (Duke) Potts (Martha); Marie Hazlett; sisters-in-law Janet Latimer (James) and Linda Schweitzer; brothers-in-law Donald Smith (Janet), Joseph Smith (Marcia), and William Falbo; six children (all located in the Houston, TX area) Lorrie Kimble (Brad), Kristy Owen (John), Kelly Staudt (Mitch Daniels), Kerrie Shojaie, Dr. James Smith (Carey), Brandon Smith (Stephanie), and former son-in-law Mansour Shojaie; grandchildren Jeremy Crow (Lindsay), Zachary Crow (Jessica), Taylor Kimble, Candyce Prince, Erica Bailey (PJ), Kaylee Bird (Simon), Katherine Staudt, Rebecca Staudt (fiancé Michael Quintana), Danielle and Dominic Shojaie, Daria and Ryan Smith, Brooke, Natalie, and Zaden Smith; and great-grandchildren Braden, Connor, Avery Beth, and Ella Kate Crow, Owen Crow, Emery Ortiz, Banks and Brooke Bailey, and Kyle and Jessica Bird. She is also survived by numerous beloved nieces, nephews, and friends.
Friends will also be received on Saturday, September 24, for visitation from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at James F. Ferguson Funeral Home, Inc., 25 W. Market St., Blairsville, PA 15717 with a blessing service at 10:30 a.m with Fr. Stephen R. Bugay officiating. Interment will follow at Saints Simon and Jude Cemetery in Blairsville.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse (AVDA), MD Anderson Cancer Center, or the American Parkinson Disease Association.
www.jamesfergusonfuneralhome.com
