Lizzie BeBe (Shorter) Smith

Remembering BeBe

What a Life Well Lived 

On Tuesday, July 19, 1932, Alberta Harris and Issac Shorter welcomed their baby girl, Lizzie into the world.  Lizzie was affectionally called BeBe by those who knew and loved her. For over ninety years she served faithfully, gave unselfishly, cared for and enjoyed her family and friends, worked hard and enjoyed life. She had a big heart and a great personality. What a legacy!!!

Served Faithfully

Bebe loved the Lord and served others and the Lord’s people faithfully. Her foundation was gained at St. Luke Baptist Church as a child. She later became an active member of New Hope Church in Wharton where she served as president of the choir inspiring them to worship our Lord through songs of praise. She served on the usher board welcoming worshipers and visitors into the house of The Lord. She also served her pastor on the pastor’s aid ministry.  She not only went to church, but she served faithfully. Later in life she joined New Fellowship Tabernacle Church and was a faithful tithe paying member.  She loved Pastor A. H. Floyd, her church, and the members.

Gave Unselfishly

She gave sacrificially to those in need. It didn’t matter if the person needed a warm meal to eat or a comfortable place to sleep, BeBe made it her commitment to make sure that those around her received what they needed.  She would give her last.

Cared for and Enjoyed her Family and Friends 

She helped raise her siblings, raised her children and served as mother to many. She ‘kept you in line’ and wanted the best from her offspring. She was a disciplinarian who meant well. After all, at the end of the day she wanted to make sure that ‘you made something out of yourself’. Now many of us are the men and women that we are because she poured into us. She gave us great advise and insisted that we presented ourselves in a manner that was appropriate and well behaved. She taught the young ladies to “keep the guys guessing” by dressing appropriately. After all, she was a fox who modeled before us what it was to be well dressed. BeBe was going to be well adorned with the lavish hats that matched her shoes and handbag. She gave words of wisdom, along with advice encouraging us to be successful, independent, and always keep pushing to be the best person we could be. She was also an excellent cook. Sundays were especially fun with people filling the house and dining on her scrumptious meals. No one can forget her “Nina’s Casserole”, her signature cakes, pies and food in general. She loved candied yams (and would cook them with every meal). She also loved fried chicken and Cokes throughout life.  We dared not show up at the nursing home without them.

Dedicated Worker

For over thirty years she worked for the Hawkins Ranch Office caring for the family of brothers and sisters. They loved her and are thankful for the years of dedication.

Enjoyed Life  

She loved getting out of the house and interacting with people… from traveling out of town, going for a ride around town, shopping in the mall, to going to the grocery store (which she did daily in her earlier years). In her early days she would watch her soap operas including As the World Turns, One Life to Live, and The Young and the Restless to name a few. She also would watch The Price is Right and Family Feud. When she wasn’t cooking or watching TV she would relax with a crossword puzzle or a good game of Gin Rummy.

Welcomed Home

There are so many precious memories that were made over the past ninety plus years that there’s no way we can recount them all. We will remember her big smile, huge personality, great cooking, and her love of family. On Wednesday, December 27, 2023, she gained her wings, and she was welcomed home. She will be truly missed by her children: Herman Thompson and Lashanda Swannegan of Bay City, TX, Na’Keidra Jones of Lake Jackson, TX; and her brother: Clarence (Karen) Shorter of Houston, TX, along with other relatives and loved ones. It is in this time we remember her daughter Betty Blunston and siblings: Isiah Shorter, Lillian Shorter, Callie Shorter, McKliny Shorter, Frank Shorter, Lethanil Shorter, L.M. Shorter, Elnora Bankston, and Johnny Lee Shorter who transitioned before her.

If I can help somebody as I pass along, If I can cheer somebody with a word or a song,

If I can show somebody he is travelling wrong, Then my living shall not be in vain!

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