Della "Joan" Smith Longorio Claybourn

Joan was a long time resident of Grand Prairie where she taught in the Grand Prairie Public School system and also worked at Republic Bank. She was a founding member of the Grand Prairie Symphony and the Grand Prairie Memorial Library Foundation. An avid cyclist, she was also a founding member of the Pedal Pushers Bicycle Club. She and her husband Bill lived in Irving, Texas and remained active in the STAR Trekkers walking club, and as volunteer docents at the Old Red Courthouse Museum.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Dewey and Neva Smith, her first husband JB Longorio Jr, her sister Sue Smith Waters and her granddaughter Madeline Claybourn. She is survived by her husband Bill J. Claybourn, sister Sherry Ceniza and brother Dewey Smith Jr. and wife Mejji, children Joe Longorio III, Phil Longorio and wife Kathey, Gayle Blair and husband Joe, Gary Longorio and wife Mary, and Pam Bailey and husband Albert. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Justin Longorio, Joey Longorio and wife Faith, Lanna Longorio, Andrea Bills and husband Derek, Angela Van Buskirk and husband David, Stephanie Suender and husband Chris, and Cassy Bailey. She is also survived by 10 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition she is survived by her step-children David Claybourn, Susan Craig and husband Bob, Cynthia Walker and husband Paul , and Melanie Tanner and husband Tommy. Step-grandchildren include Emily and Tosh Moore, Laura and Chris Weaver, Jared Walker and Stephen Craig.

Memorial Service: 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 9, 2013 at Bean-Massey-Burge Funeral Home Chapel, 733 Dalworth St., Grand Prairie, TX 75050.

Those who would like to share memories for Joan’s memorial service, please email to [email protected]. These will be compiled and read at her service.

The family requests donations be sent to the Grand Prairie Memorial Library Foundation and the North Texas Food Bank.