Mrs. Margaret Jo Rhea Smith

A private family graveside service for Mrs. Margaret Jo Rhea Smith, 81, of Laneville, will be held at Maple Grove Cemetery at a later date with Lee Poe officiating under the direction of Crawford-A. Crim Funeral Home. Margaret passed away November 10, 2025, in Laneville. She was born November 23, 1943, in Houston to Jessie James Rhea Sr. and Georgia Eugenia (Hays) Rhea. She made East Texas her home for the last 20 years, moving from Lake Livingston with her late husband Ron to be closer to their sons and grandchildren. Upon graduating from M. B. Smiley High School, Margaret made her career in accounting and worked for several companies including DHL as a credit manager. Margaret found pleasure in gardening, bird watching, traveling, puzzles, and entertaining but her greatest pleasure was her belief in Jesus Christ and spending time with her family. Margaret was a kind and loving mother, always supportive of her sons. Encouragement and optimism for the future, as well as independence of thought were core to her parenting. “You can be anything you want to be if you put your mind to it and stick with it” was but one of many life lessons she instilled. She was a member of Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler. Margaret made Christmas the most magical time of the year! Great care was taken to highlight her entire home with family treasures that included handmade ornaments and decorations. She was so proud to have her home included on the Lindale Christmas Tour of Homes in 2009. Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, Jessie and Georgia Rhea; husband Ronald G. Smith; daughter-in-law, Beth Warren, brothers, Larry Rhea, Donald “Donnie” Lee Rhea; sister, Annie Marie Rhea Johnston Bonnette; brothers-in-law, Kenneth McAnally and David Johnston. Survivors include her sons, Edward Warren and wife Lesa, David Warren, Sean Smith; siblings, Jessie James Rhea Jr., Charlotte McAnally, Connie Young and husband J.R.; grandchildren, Tyler Warren, Jessica Warren, Aaron Warren, Blair Warren and wife Jordan; great-grandchildren, Noah, Ryan, Braelyn, Emersyn, Aubrey Jo, Shepherd, Sage; sisters-in-law, Hershey Cox and husband Bob, Peggy Rhea; brother-in-law, Lawson Bonnette; special caretakers, Felicia Leatch, Tina Snider; and a host of nieces, nephews, other family, and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to either The East Texas Alzheimer’s Alliance, 3122 Nealy Way Suite 203, Longview, TX 75605 or PrimeCare Hospice, 707 Hollybrook Dr #404, Longview, TX 75605. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.crawfordacrim.com.

Mrs. Margaret Jo Rhea Smith

November 23, 1943 - November 10, 2025