Elizabeth (Bea) Madore Smouse

Elizabeth (Bea) Madore Smouse 

Elizabeth (Bea) Madore Smouse, 84 of Dallas, Texas, formerly of Bedford, PA ascended into Heaven to be with her Lord and her husband on Thursday, July 29, 2021.

She was born June 14, 1937, in Bedford PA a daughter of the late Robert Benjamin Madore and Edith Brightbill of Bedford and widow of Thomas Hadley Smouse.  She was preceded in death by her brother and sister respectfully Francis Benjamin Madore and Eleanor Madore Dyke.

Surviving her is her daughter, Deirdre Ann Petri (wife of the late Richard Petri) and grandson Cody Madore Petri of St. Louis, MO; two sons, Robert Hadley Smouse (husband of Rachelle) and grandchildren Robert Hadley Smouse, Jr., Hunter Reid Smouse, and Harleigh Sophia Smouse of Flower Mound TX; and Thomas Madore Smouse (husband of Kimberly) of The Woodlands, TX, and grandchildren Taylor Michelle Smouse-Martin (wife of Cullen) of Sneads Ferry NC, and Thomas Hadley Smouse (husband of Abby) of Ft. Mill SC.  

She received a BS in Education from Penn State University in 1959. She was a member of the Custer Road United Methodist Church and active member of the Penn State alumni. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).

She taught high school at Nerinx Hall, a private school in Webster, MO and at St. Theresa High School in Decatur, IL.  Her passion was teaching young minds critical life skills, accounting and typing, then watching them advance in their education.  She enjoyed playing bridge and knitting with the Plano groups, travel, antiques, and dancing.

She was a proud mom and grandmother. Her fondest times were getting her family together for camping, sporting, boating, the holidays, and trips where laughter, jokes and endless stories were told.  She brought joy and happiness to those who knew her.

Special memories from her grandchildren.

Cody – My favorite memories of Grandma are all the time growing up and going to Galveston for our summer beach vacation, spending Christmas with her and family at her house, reading together when I was younger, her coming to visit and getting ice cream.

Taylor – My favorite memories were watching Zeus and Roxane movies, while she always had great snacks for us. She always stocked up on Barq’s root beer when we would come to town and to this day, I will not drink any other root beer. Christmas morning at Grandma’s was always filled with lots of family photos, gifts, and great food. Many years on Christmas Eve, she would take us all on a horse & buggy ride to look at Christmas lights.  She always made sure the grandkids felt special.

Thomas – My favorite memories are Christmas in Dallas and sitting around that black fold out table with all the grandkids. Grandma would make root beer floats for all of us.  And then Christmas morning, all of us waking the whole house up early to go open presents, while sitting on the old Smouse bench. Also, you cannot forget the early morning donuts and Kolaches from Sunny Donuts in Plano, Texas.

Hadley – I don’t have a favorite memory of Grandma, all of them feel special in their own way, like when I was young having family Christmas at her house and sleeping over and seeing who could eat the biggest bite of pizza. I also enjoyed watching Zeus and Roxane on her VHS tape. That by far has to be my most watched movie. In more recent times, I enjoyed going up to her apartment and getting her favorite McDonald’s meal and I knew it by heart. Also, the times mom would be at work and we would go to Joe’s pizza with Grandma and always sitting in the same corner booth. I cherish every moment with you grandma and am so glad you were a part of my life. 

Hunter – My favorite memory of Grandma is when she would come to my theater shows and tell me how good I did. The day before she passed, my parents were out walking the dogs. My job was to make sure she didn’t fall asleep or else she would be awake all night. In order to do this, I turned music on and started dancing to it. I remember her sitting in her chair watching me and smiling as I danced. I loved the way she supported me in theater and how happy she looked when watching me perform. I will always miss getting to see you after a performance and will always remember the good times we had sleeping at your house and you yelling at us to go to bed. Love You Grandma!

Harleigh – My favorite memory of Grandma is when I would go into her closet and pick out the most bizarre outfits and ask, “Have you ever worn this?”, and when me and my brothers would wear some of her wigs and put on a fashion show and run down the apartment hallway. I Love You so much Grandma!  

Friends and family will be received 10 AM on Saturday Sept. 4th at J. Edward Blackburn Funeral Home, Alum Bank PA.

Graveside services at 11 AM, on Saturday Sept. 4th at Bedford Cemetery with Rev. Shane Siciliano officiating.

She was devoted to her family and friends and would never miss a chance to lend a hand or sit and listen. She will be deeply missed by all those in her family.  To celebrate her life (while acknowledging her distaste for somber colors), we invite all well-wishers attending her memorial service to wear something either brightly colored or her favorite hue of purple.

In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting either the: Bedford County Historical Society, 6441 Lincoln Highway, Bedford PA 15522; or Thomas H. Smouse Memorial Fund, American Oil Chemists’ Society Foundation, P.O. Box 17190, Urbana, IL 61803-7190.

Arrangements by the J. Edward Blackburn Funeral Home. 

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