Vila Smith

Vila Valerie “Val” Smith was called home to the Lord on September 16, 2021, in San Antonio, TX. Valerie was born in Thalia, TX on January 2, 1924, to Ulysses Othenal & Lydia Roena Barry. Valerie was the fourth born of twelve (12) children and grew up working on her parent’s farm and helping with her younger siblings.  While working as a telephone operator, Valerie met and fell in love with Leslie Earl Smith. They were married in 1946 and eventually settled in Muleshoe, TX for many years before moving to Hobbs, NM in 1977. Valerie and her husband owned Smith’s Fine Furnishings in Hobbs and she later opened Valerie’s Career Image in the Broadmoor Mall.

Valerie’s beautiful smile and warm, caring demeanor cultivated many lasting friendships throughout her lifetime. She loved long conversations with friends, relatives, and acquaintances. Her dry sense of humor remained intact even as she neared life’s end. Valerie’s passion and devotion was to her family, particularly the many children who knew her as Grandma. She loved and cherished each one of them uniquely in her special way and was adored by them all.

Valerie was preceded in death by her parents and nine siblings, Willy, Irene, Lewis, Imogene, Florene, Willamay, Annafaye, Delbert and Shirley, her husband Leslie Earl Smith, baby boy Donnie Lee, daughter Sherrill Ann Denton, son Leslie Dan Smith, grandson Joshua Ragland and twin granddaughters Kristi Michelle and Misti Rachelle Russell.

Valerie is survived by her brother Eugene Barry of Sundown, TX, sister Mary Russell Rose (Tom) of Chickasha, OK, son Donnie Smith (Donna) of San Antonio, TX,  granddaughters Michelle Gray (Brad Hindman) of Celina, TX, Brooke Ragland (Brian Baiza) of Hobbs, NM and Adrienne Bulman (Jon) of San Antonio, TX, one grandson Will Justin Smith (Lisa) of Amarillo, TX, great grandchildren, Calvin Gray, Casin Gray (Deborah), Brittlynn Gray, Zachary Smith, Kadyn Smith, Jaiclyn Smith, McKyna Smith, Ashlyn Baiza, Ethan Baiza, Brodie Bulman, Kade Bulman, Jolie Bulman, Brody Ragland, great, great grandson Camden Gray and dear friends Audrey Likins and Danny & Nicole Varga.