Yvonne Smith  05/25/1927 -4/17/2008

 Graveside services for Yvonne Smith, age 80, of Jacksonville are scheduled for 11:00 a. m. Monday, April 21, 2008 at Resthaven Memorial Park, Jacksonville with Bro. Mitchell McRight officiating.  Services are under the direction of Autry Funeral Home, Jacksonville.

Yvonne Bertha Smith was born May 25, 1927 in Braine-l’Alleud, Belgium and died April 17, 2008 in Tyler, Texas.

Yvonne and her parents suffered under Nazi occupation during World War II. Due to the war, her high school graduation was forced to hold ceremonies in a bomb shelter. She met the love of her life and future husband, Wilburn Ray Smith, in 1944, when he served with the 743^rd Tank Battalion that liberated her village. After the war, she was employed by the Belgium Treasury Department in Brussells. She corresponded with Ray and his sister, Jonnie, for several years before immigrating to the United States.

Yvonne and Ray were married January 10, 1950 and she became a U.S. citizen that same year. She was proud to be an American. They lived in Houston and she was employed by NASA –Johnson Space Center for 25 years. She was fluent in six languages. Upon retirement to Jacksonville, she continued her love for gardening, taking pride in her beautiful rose and azalea gardens. Yvonne was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother as well as a devout Catholic.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Wilburn Ray, and her parents Nina and Jules Godfroid.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Geary Ray and Debbie Smith of Rockport, Texas and daughter, Vivian Smith of Jacksonville, Texas; three grandchildren, Eric Bertram and wife Susan, of San Antonio, Texas, Colin Smith and wife, Anna, of Austin, Texas and Cayce Smith of Austin, Texas, great grandson Steven Ray Smith of Austin, Texas; beloved sister-in-law Jonnie Campbell of Jacksonville, Texas; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Honorary pallbearers are Donald Campbell, Hal Wayne Campbell, Dennis Campbell, Raymond Folmar, Winson Bearden, Vaughn Mixon, Mark Smith and Tommy Smith.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, April 20, 2008 at Autry Funeral Home.  Family and friends are welcome at the family home following the service.