Doris Smith Kruger
June 16, 1929 – July 23, 2022
The life of Doris Smith Kruger was one of service to her family and others. She enjoyed being surrounded by her loved ones, friends, and anyone else she saw. Never meeting a stranger, Meme loved to visit wherever she was.
Meme was born on June 16, 1929, to Vernon and Georgie Smith in Utopia, Texas. She passed away on July 23, 2022.
The family moved to Sabinal where she graduated high school as the drum majorette. She attended Texas State College for Women in Denton, then continued her education at Southwestern, but was called home to care for her family. She attended Sul Ross University where she eventually completed her teaching degree with all five kids in tow!
Bob and Doris lived in Sabinal, Hondo, and then in Hebbronville where she taught and the five kids graduated high school. Even while working full time, Meme always made time to fix a hot breakfast, leave lunch cooking in the oven, and prepared supper after school each day while transporting five children to various activities.
Following Bob’s promotion with Alamo Lumber Co., they moved to Boerne, where she continued her education at UTSA. At Boerne High School, Meme secured the perfect job teaching half day and checking in on her students at their work places in the afternoons. This allowed her to visit, make new friends, and to encourage her students to graduate. Even years after retiring, her big ‘ole high school boys always had a hug for her whenever she saw them around town.
Grandkids then became the focus of her life, keeping them in line with a rolled-up newspaper! All five children and grandchildren were expected to be at Meme & Bob’s house for every holiday, creating lasting memories and treasured traditions.
Even through life’s trials, her motto was “I choose to be happy.” After Bob’s death, Meme transitioned to Heritage Place in Boerne where she was well-loved. Being “in charge”, she was often found in view of the front door so she could observe those arriving and leaving. She thoroughly enjoyed any type of music and knew every word to her favorite hymns and songs even within her last week of life. The family was comforted by her last words assuring us that she was ready to be with Jesus and that she loved us all.
Meme is survived by her three daughters and their husbands, Sue and Gregg Williams, Georgie and David Berry and Elizabeth and Walter Stroman and daughter-in-law Barbara Newsom; grandchildren Boon and Codi Newsom, B.K. and Elizabeth Newsom, Lindy and Jason Pieratt, Robert and Courtney Williams, Jonathan and Karen Berry, Jessica and Andrew Alexander, Lauren and Lee Lyons, David and Tamara Stroman, Thomas and Nichole Stroman and Claire Kruger. She is also survived by 26 great-grandchildren, two sisters and numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death were her husband of 59 years, Bob; her daughter, Kris Newsom; son-in-law Buck Newsom; and her son, Bobby Kruger.
We would like to thank all our friends and family for their prayers and kind words since Meme’s passing. Special thanks to Heritage Place and Alamo Hospice for the excellent care they provided for Meme.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to her granddaughter’s ministry, Children’s Relief International, PO Box 2470, Rockwall, TX 75087 with Jason and Lindy Pieratt noted or www.childrensrelief.org/jasonandlindy.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, July 29, 2022, at 10 a.m. at St. Helena’s Episcopal Church. Interment will follow the service at Sabinal Cemetery, Sabinal, Texas. To leave condolences for the family and to view a video of Doris’ life, please visit www.ebensberger-fisher.com. Arrangements with Ebensberger-Fisher Funeral Home of Boerne.
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