Madis Kay Smith Keath, loving wife, sweet mother, doting grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, educator, and servant of Christ passed into eternal life on February 26, 2024, at the age of 80. She was born November 18, 1943, in Sabinal, Texas, to Vernon Hinsdale Smith and Georgie Wentworth Smith.  She was the youngest of the three Smith girls.

Madis grew up and attended school in Sabinal where she excelled in academics, band, home economics, and various extracurricular activities.  Her grandchildren marveled at the stories of her fire twirling days!  She graduated high school in 1961.  She received her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Texas A&I University where she was crowned Lantana Queen in 1964.  She later earned an MS in Education from Sul Ross University. On July 2, 1966, Madis married Dan Keath at the First United Methodist Church in Sabinal.  Madis and Dan's first teaching assignment was with the Hondo Independent School District where Madis worked for over 30 years.  Madis and Dan put down deep roots in Hondo where they raised their girls, followed the Hondo Owls, and made life-long friends.  Madis and Dan served faithfully at First Baptist Church where Madis was the church organist.  Many brides will remember walking down the aisle to the music Madis played on their wedding day.

Madis lived a life of deep contentment and happiness.  She enjoyed needlepoint and sewing, but especially gardening.  After retirement, she would most often be found in her yard, tending beds overflowing with irises, lilies, and her own mother's antique roses.  She made sure the hummingbirds always had plenty of sweet nectar, and the songbirds never went hungry.

Julie and Sarah grew up in a home rich with love for each other and for Jesus.  Whether it was practicing solo and ensemble with high school band students, preparing for church services, or organizing songs for weddings, Madis filled her home with music.  Family was the center of the Keath's social life.  She cherished celebrating the ordinary and the extraordinary.  Parties marking birthdays, dinners around a holiday table, and relaxing Saturday afternoon trips to the farm were the regular rhythm of life.  When her grandchildren came along, new adventures included watching sporting events, choir performances, and family vacations together.  Madis's grandchildren describe her as classy, orderly, loving, caring, and elegant.  She played board games, completed jigsaw puzzles, pushed swings, and sang songs.  It is possible that Mit and Papa will most fondly be remembered for indulging the grands in many, many trips to Dairy Queen.

Madis was a gracious hostess who enjoyed the company of friends on her front porch, including one of her favorites, Jo Beth Taylor.  She and Jo Beth poured over books about the area and enjoyed laughing and remembering good times together.

Pallbearers include grandsons, Price Rushing and Kyle Livingston; nephews, Clay Keath, Hunter Keath, and Trey Witcher; sons-in-law Brad Livingston and Bobby Jack Rushing

Madis is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Julie and Brad Livingston of The Woodlands and Sarah and Bobby Jack Rushing of Leakey; grandchildren, William Price Rushing, Susanna Kay Livingston, Macy Jane Livingston, Tessa Keath Rushing, and Kyle Guthrie Livingston; sister, Janice Stewart of Sugarland; in-laws, Ann Keath of Sabinal and Jane and Seth Witcher of San Antonio; numerous nieces and nephews and extended family members.

Madis was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Dan Keath; parents-in-law, Medford and Dorris Keath; sister and brother-in-law, Doris and Bob Kruger; and brothers-in-law, Butch Keath and Marion Stewart.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 3, 2024 at the First Baptist Church of Hondo. A reception will follow the memorial service.

Memorials may be made in Madis's memory to the First Baptist Church of Hondo or to the charity of your choice.

Arrangements by Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home. Visit www.tondre-guinn.com.