Tommie Sue McBrayer

Tommie Sue McBrayer, 83, of Lubbock, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, January 2, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Tommie was born on July 1, 1941, in Acmar, St. Clair County, Alabama, to the late Thomas A. Smith and Sara Sue (Lily) Smith. 

She was raised and received her primary education in the St. Clair County, Alabama schools, graduating from St. Clair High School in 1959. Later, she furthered her education by obtaining her Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration from North Texas State in 1993, at the young age of 52. 

Tommie met the love of her life, Otis McBrayer, and they were united in marriage on July 25, 1959, in Moody, St. Clair County, Alabama. At the time of Tommie’s passing, they had been together for 65 and one half years and had a wonderful life together. 

Tommie worked in public administration as a City Secretary and was heavily involved in church and church associations. She was an Executive Assistant to the Director of Missions in McKinney, Texas. She worked in the First Baptist Church of Wylie, Texas where she taught Sunday School. She and her beloved husband, Otis, have been members of Monterey Baptist Church for the last 16 years, where she also taught Sunday School. During the COVID crisis, and people were not attending church in person, she wrote two devotional books that were published, In The Beginning and Day by Day with David. She loved to do needle work, sew, quilt and do cross-stitching. 

Those left to honor and cherish her memory include her husband, Otis; two sons: Dr. Philip McBrayer and wife Kim of Houston, and Carlton L. McBrayer and wife Regina of Ben Wheeler, Texas; one daughter, Beth Bass and husband Joe of Anton. She is also survived by three brothers: Emmitt Smith and wife Bonnie of Pell City, Alabama, Rodger Smith and wife Betty of Leeds, Alabama and Richard Smith and wife Margaret of Huntsville, Alabama; one sister, Cora Lavelle DePaepe of Kansas City, Kansas; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Tommie was preceded in death by her parents. 

Visitation for Tommie will be held from 10:30 AM to 1:45 PM on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at Monterey Baptist Church, 3601 50th Street, Lubbock, TX 79413. Funeral services will follow at 2 PM with Dr. David Belk officiating. Final rites and interment will follow in the City of Lubbock Cemetery under the personal care and direction of Combest Family Funeral Home in Lubbock.

The pallbearers will be Patrick Davis, Martel Souter, Larry Rawlings, Ken Burton, Steve Weir and Coda Stephens.