Marjorie Louise Smelser, 96, of Odessa, Texas, passed away on June 13, 2026, in Odessa, Texas.

Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, June 19, 2026, at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home and at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Life Challenge Church, 4500 N. Grandview, Odessa, Texas.

Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at Life Challenge Church with Rev. Dan Smelser officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Arrangements are under the direction of Sunset Memorial Funeral Home.

Marjorie was born on May 14, 1930, in Cisco, Texas, to Bill and Emma Purcell. She attended school in Monahans, Texas, and Tulsa, Oklahoma. On June 17, 1948, she married Howard Smelser in Monahans, Texas. She attended Apostolic College in Tulsa and worked as a substitute teacher for 20 years. Marjorie was deeply involved in her faith and ministry. Together, she and her husband founded and pastored churches in Arkansas, Texas, and New Mexico.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard Smelser; her son, David Jonathan Smelser; her daughter, Esther Ruth; and her brothers, Jimmy, Gene, William, Tommy, Charlie, Harry, Johnny, Ted, and Rex Purcell.

Marjorie is survived by her son, Daniel Smelser and wife, Lora, of Odessa, Texas; grandchildren, Jason Smelser and wife, Yessi, of Willis, Texas, Starla Twentier and husband, Monte, of League City, Texas, Elizabeth Sigala and husband, Juan, of Odessa, Texas, Devin Smelser and wife, Brooklyn, of Odessa, Texas, Daniel Howard Smelser of Odessa, Texas and Destinee Smelser of Odessa, Texas; as well as six great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Victor Lopez, Jesse Castaneda, Mark Loe, Michael Loe, Moises Alvarez, Frank Loera, and Saul Pacheco.

Memorial contributions may be made to Life Challenge Church.

The family of Marjorie Smelser wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to Home Hospice for the compassionate care and support provided during her final days.