Silvia Kelley Smith

Silvia Kelley Smith, age 76, passed peacefully into the arms of her Savior on Saturday, February 27, 2016, surrounded by her family. She was born on July 10, 1939 in Longview, Texas to Pauline Davis Kelley and John Noble Kelley, the "baby" of a total of six children.

On May 10, 1963, at the age of 23, she married the man of her dreams, Gary Donald Smith, and on March 3, 1965, God blessed them with their "pride and joy," their son, named after his Dad, Gary Donald Smith, Jr.

Silvia was a student of White Oak Schools from Kindergarten through 12th grade. She was involved in Future Homemakers of America and several other school sponsored organizations, and was a State Champion in Shorthand in the annual UIL competition in 1957.

She was employed in the insurance industry for over 20 years in administrative office positions. Thereafter, she worked, until her retirement, for Letourneau University in the Physical Plant office. She enjoyed her work thoroughly and took her responsibilities seriously. She was impeccable at record keeping and office organization. She enjoyed getting to know her co-workers on a personal level and called many of them personal friends.

After retirement, Silvia and Gary were blessed with many years to enjoy spending time with their family, extended family, and special friends who meant a great deal to Silvia and made her life richer. She loved traveling, playing dominoes (a lot), having fun with their grandchildren and showing support for them in their activities and accomplishments, and serving others, by Gary's side, in Jesus' name.

She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, Longview, for over 50 years, serving almost the entire time as the church's Sunday School Attendance Secretary.

She is survived by her husband and love of her life, Gary Donald Smith, Sr., her son and daughter in law, Gary Donald Smith, Jr. and Terri Bryant Smith, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who she absolutely adored, Brittani McGrew Milford, her husband, Cody Milford, and their son, Bowen Clark Milford, Hannah McGrew Creacy, her husband Brent Creacy, and their daughter, Harper Fayth Creacy, and youngest granddaughter, Addison Kelley Smith, all of Longview, her very special nieces and nephews and their families, who she loved tremendously, other extended family and a wonderful host of friends.

She was preceded in death my her mom and dad, her brothers, John Loyd Kelley and his wife, Beval, Kenneth Park Kelley and his wife, Pat, her sisters and brothers in law, who she missed so much, Francis Geraldine Woodall and her husband, Roy, Mattie Jo Brantley, and her husband, Donald Jo, and Rita Onita Foirriestier, and her husband, Buster.

Visitation will be at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, March, 1, 2016, followed by her Memorial/Homegoing Celebration at 2:00 pm, at Calvary Baptist Church, 4715 Tenneryville Rd., Longview with Bros. Richard Jones, Jordan Tew and Phillip Cavaliere officiating. A graveside service will follow at Lakeview Memorial Gardens, 5000 W. Harrison Rd., Longview.