In life, we cannot outthink God’s plan for our lives. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD,
“plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

     Effie Lee Scranton was born in Nacogdoches, Texas, on March 23, 1943, to Gaston and Raymon Finley Scranton. She was raised in the Texas City -Lamarque community with her mother and (bonus father) Mr. Raymond Lovings and three siblings (Truman, Gaston and Betty Sue). The family attended Progressive Baptist Church which was close to the family homes on Albert Street. Effie was eventually baptized, at a young age, and her love for the Lord began to grow under the tutelage of her godfather, Rev. BW McWashington.  Effie married Clarence M. Johnson, and they had four wonderful children (Jeffery, Carla, Zina and Clarence Johnson, Jr.).

     Effie completed her GED and graduated at the top of her class in nursing school, at Galveston Community College, as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). She worked at different nursing homes and started working with Mainland Community Hospital (where she retired). While working as an LVN, Effie stood out amongst her peers. She worked in the ICU, telemetry units, and on the local helicopters on emergency flights. She was called upon on many occasions to help start IVs for the hardest patients. She helped to train the newest nurses (including RNs) within the hospital. Her work ethic was impeccable. She worked extended days and hours as a single mother to ensure her children were provided with more than the basic needs of life.

Effie remained ever faithful to God, her biological family, extended family members, and friends within the local community. She helped with the local drill teams and taught the youth at her local church. She was introduced to Rev. Donald H. Smith, aka “Preacher” and they were married. Effie gained more children, Stephanie (deceased) Brian (Barbara), Sonya and Rachel (Andre). Effie and “Preacher” were married for 18 years until his untimely death in 2013.  Once she retired, she began to travel with her daughter, Carla Maddox, and sister, Betty Sue. They traveled
around the world. There were plans to continue to visit other continents until she was diagnosed with Dementia/Alzheimer’s. This horrible disease robbed the community of a “beautiful mind” and “wonderful spirit”. In her illness, she continued to minister to others by telling everyone she loved them and helping anyone clean and wipe the cabinets, tables, floors, etc. No items were safe near her because she would hide them anywhere and everywhere (smile).

     Effie Smith passed from labor to reward on December 27, 2024, surrounded by family and friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Gaston Scranton (father), Raymon A. Lovings (mother); Rev. Donald H. Smith (spouse); Truman Scranton (brother), Gaston Scranton (brother); sons, Jeffery W. Johnson, and Clarence M. Johnson; and many other relatives and friends.

     She leaves to mourn her bonus father, Raymond Lovings, her brothers, Gaston Scranton, Jr., Kenneth Scranton, Timothy Scranton (Charlise); her sisters, Betty Sue Gaines, and Shelia Scranton; her daughters, Carla Maddox, Zina Long (Clayton) and her adopted grandchild Raymond Johnson (Vanessa) and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

In life, we cannot outthink God’s plan for our lives. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD,
“plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11