Creta Maye was born in Greeley, Colorado to the late Catherine and Wilford Lawrence on April 10, 1925. She came to Bay City in 1950. Creta raised 4 children for 15 years by herself. She married Ernest McIntosh, Jr. and they lived in Markham for 20 years.

"Miss Creta" opened her own alteration shop in 1971 on 5th Street. She learned her tailoring and alteration talent from a tailor at Peoples Laundry. She worked for Downtown Cleaners for 10 years and was offered the chance to have her own business.

She did ceramics in half her shop – teaching lessons and got a Masters in Ceramic Arts. She moved her business to 1301 7th Street in 1985. "Miss Creta" loved her work, her arts and, most of all, her customers. She began painting in watercolors at the age of 65. She was a member of the Bay City Art League, Port Lavaca Art League, Rockport Art League and the Victoria Art League. She won many awards for her work.

She was preceded in death by her son: William "Bill" Smith; daughter: Beverly McIntosh Walker; by her parents; husbands: Ernest McIntosh Jr. and the final love of her life: Clyde Cowart. She is survived by 3 children: Michael Smith (Delphaine), Patricia Ballenger (Ron) and Vicki Matthews (Doug); by 8 grandchildren: Michelle Pelleitier, Stephanie Bruce, Robert Aucoin, Rickie Aucoin, Heather Smith, Autumn Smith, Chris Smith, Tina Smith, Clint Walker; and by 11 great grandchildren; brother Wilford "Bill" Lawrence; sisters Zetta Marie Hoog (Claire) & Mona Rae Ferraio (Jack).

A Memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM Friday, May 13, 2011, at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bay City Art League.