Virginia "Ginny" Carrol Smith

Ginny Smith was called home by her Lord and Savior on December 2. She was born at home in Sherman, Texas, on November 9, 1935, to Gladys and Earnest Daughety, Sr. She grew up during the end of the Great Depression and spent her early years in Sherman before her family moved to Fort Worth. Ginny attended Arlington Heights High School in Fort Worth from 1950 to 1954. During her senior year of high school, Ginny met Bobby Smith who became the love of her life. He nicknamed her "Ginny," sometimes shortening it to "Gin" because he thought "Virginia" was too much of a mouthful.

After high school, Ginny was determined to attend college, and in the fall of 1954, she enrolled at Texas Wesleyan University. She only had enough money to cover one semester and could not afford to live on campus. Undeterred, she lived at home and commuted by bus. In a miraculous turn of events, she was offered a Teacher Assistant position in the Business Department with Dr. Gladys Bowman. Through God's provision and answered prayers, Ginny was able to live on campus, continue working with Dr. Bowman, and was able afford her college education. Ginny thrived at Texas Wesleyan. She was a member of DEKA, Texas Wesleyan University Campus Sweetheart and won many Academic Awards. She graduated with honors in May 1958 with a degree in Business Administration, becoming the first in her family to earn a college degree.

Ginny and Bobby's love remained steadfast, and on May 3, 1959, they were united in marriage. Their life together was shaped by Bobby's career in the United States Air Force, which took them to various places, including Tucson, Arizona, Grand Forks, North Dakota, and Montgomery, Alatbama. She worked as a clerk in various lawyers' offices and prided herself on typing 130+ words per minute. Her real job, though, was taking care of Bob- she spoiled him rotten! She brought him the newspaper and breakfast in bed every morning he was home. She loved to dote on him and in pure selflessness, put his needs above her own. In 1962, Ginny and Bob welcomed their first child, Melinda. After seven years in the Air Force, they settled in Dallas, where Bob began a new career in 1965 as a commercial pilot for American Airline and in 1969, Mthey welcomed their second daughter, Shannon.

Ginny was a devoted stay-at-home mom, offering unwavering support to her family. She was a loving mother and a constant cheerleader for her children, but she wasn't a typical mother. Because Bob's job required him to be away from his family fifty percent of the time, Ginny operated in many ways as a single mother. She was fiercely independent and not only handled the day-to-day activities of her girls, she oftentimes would take the girls on trips without Bob by her side if his schedule did not permit.

Ginny also gladly embraced her role as a grandmother, choosing the name "Tutu". For the next 35 years, she poured love and affection into her five grandchildren and one great-grandson. Her grandchildren have such fond memories of their time with their Tutu. She loved to share experiences with them like taking them to the Fort Worth Zoo, Dallas Aquarium, the train display at North Park, picking them up from school - just to name a few. They also loved to spend the night at their house and enjoyed baking brownies and cookies with her.

Ginny's faith was an integral part of her life and legacy. As a teenager, she was invited by a friend to attend a Billy Graham revival in Fort Worth. It was at the revival that she accepted Christ as her Savior. Her faith was on full display throughout her life. Up until the very end, even though her mind was not whole, you could tell that she was deeply committed to her Christian faith. The highlight of her week was attending Sunday morning worship services at Stonebriar and Prestonwood Court as well as weekly Bible Study class. She and Bob were long-time members of Northwest Bible Church in Dallas. Later in life, they became founding members of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas.

Ginny was known for her quick wit, wicked sense of humor, and occasional shenanigans. She had the ability to make everyone feel like they were the most important person in her life. She was loyal, generous to her family and those in need, and a true supporter of others. She loved animals! Ginny often said that people with pets live longer and she proved it, living to the age of 89. She often took in strays animals and people! If she found out that someone needed something - money, or a place to enjoy Thanksgiving, she would open her heart and home.

She had a short but successful career in real estate, which she pursued after Bob encouraged her to become a realtor. She started her real estate career at First Mark, moved to Dunn, O'Malley and Blackmar, and finished her career with Henry S. Miller. Ginny was a multi-million dollar producer and Bob was so proud of her accomplishments.

Ginny was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Robert R. Smith, Jr., her parents, Gladys and Earnest Lee Daughety, Sr., her brother, Earnest Lee Daughety Jr., and her sister, Billie Jo Daughety Ussery. She is survived by her daughters: Melinda Lennington and Shannon Sharp (Trent); her grandchildren: Jonathan Lennington, Lindsay Colley (Brandon), Jackson Sharp, Caroline Sharp, and Landon Sharp; her great-grandson, Emory Colley; nieces Patty Snodgrass and Sharon Wiliams; nephews.

A graveside service will be held on December 20, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. Following the service, the family invites you to join them for a lunch reception at 12:00 p.m. at Gleneagles Country Club in honor of Ginny's life and legacy. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Stonebriar Community Church www.stonebriar.org or Hope's Rescue and Recovery Angels www.hopesrescueangels.org (a non-profit organization that traps and rehabilitates strays and helps reunites missing pets with their families). For either non profit, please reference Virginia Smith so that the family can properly acknowledge receipt of your gift.