Abbie Lee Glenn

Abbie Lee Glenn, 101 years young, a longtime resident of Hot Springs, Arkansas, died on October 8, 2023, of natural causes. She was born Abbie Lee Smith on July 9, 1922, in Coleman, Texas, to James Norman and Addie Louise Smith. Abbie was the last surviving child of the Smith family.  Her siblings were Delma, Eunice, Lois, Louise, and Natalie.

Abbie was a sweet, strong, loving, and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. She is survived by her three children, Edward Montague Lang, Jr., Helen Louise Giacomo, and Larry Hugo Lang, and their families.

She married Edward Montague Lang, Sr., an enlisted Aerial Engineer in the Army Air Corps, on December 5, 1941, at Luke Airfield near Phoenix, Arizona. Edward was transferred to Fort Bliss Army Base in El Paso, Texas, where, after his service, he became an insurance salesman, while Abbie raised their three children and became a Procurement Officer for the Army, a position she held for 20 years. She was also involved in several women’s volunteer organizations and social clubs, with a heart of caring for her community. Abbie and Edward divorced in 1957.

Abbie married another military man, Billy Tewell Glenn, a Supply Sergeant in the United States Army, on March 31, 1968, in El Paso, Texas. They loved attending military balls and events together. Billy and Abbie moved to Hot Springs, Arkansas, in 1989 and became active members of Piney Grove Methodist Church (now just Piney Grove). Billy was a devoted volunteer at St. Vincent Hospital and led their hospitality team. He died on February 8, 2008, and is buried at Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Hot Springs.

After Billy’s death, Abbie spent her remaining years living with or near her three children in Texas, Colorado, and finally in Elk Grove, California, where she died.

Abbie was a woman of faith who studied the Bible throughout her life. She believed what Paul wrote in Philippians, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far…” And now, praise God, she is with Christ in heaven.

Abbie loved and supported her children and grand/great/great-great grandchildren with all her heart. She will be dearly missed by her family and all who knew her.

A graveside service, conducted by Pastor Scott Gallimore, will occur at Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Hot Springs on November 20, 2023, at 2pm. A reception will follow at Piney Grove Church.

Arrangements are under the direction of Smith Family Funeral Home, Hot Springs.