Maxine "Max" Slafka Smetherman, age 68, passed away on October 28th, 2020. Mackie, to her family, was born in Bremond, Texas to Frank and Rose (Kowalski) Slafka, the youngest of four children, on September 24, 1952. The moment the world met Mackie, the world smiled and fell in love with her. Mackie was the essence of love, radiant in her constant smile, beautiful her grace and devotion to God, her family, and to every child, every person, every soul she met. Mackie married Simon Jesse Smetherman May 29, 1982. She built her dream house twice with the love of her life, her "Babes", Jesse Smetherman and created a home for her wonderful children Steven and Catherine "Katie" Smetherman, the biggest blessing of her life. Her home was always open to anyone as nieces, nephews, and friends found warmth, love, and security as we all took turns living with her and her family. Mackie and Jesse provided an example of a loving marriage to each and every one they met. Through the course of her life, she always put others ahead of herself. She compassionately lifting up children in need through her work in special education in Humble ISD and St. Martha's Catholic Church. We all at some time sought her council or compassion. In her life, she changed the world with a smile, grace, compassion, beauty, and unconditional love. We are at a loss for words losing this angel who walked among us and will have to rely on her own words to pull us forward. So, we raise our eyes and hearts to heaven and shout "Jesus, Mary, Joseph and all the saints", as we are left to pick up where she left and try to leave our world as she would have wanted it.

Mackie is preceded in death by Frank and Rose (Kowalski) Slafka, her dear friends Steven Riegel and Robert Miller. She is survived by her loving husband Simon Jesse Smetherman, her children Steven Jesse Smetherman and Catherine Rose Smetherman, her siblings Frank Jr. Slafka, Mary Ann Slafka Leach, and Johnnie Rose Slafka Gouge.

A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, November 20, 2020 at St. Marthas Catholic Church. Graveside services will be held at 10:4 5 a.m., Monday, November 23, 2020 at Houston National Cemetery. Service Information A funeral mass will be held on November 20, 2020 at 10:30 am at St. Marthas Catholic Church. Graveside will be at Houston National Cemetery on November 23, 2020 at 10:45 am.