April 23, 2008

YVONNE BERTHA SMITH

 

Graveside service for Yvonne Bertha Smith, 80, of Jacksonville was at 11 a. m. Monday at Resthaven Memorial Park with Mitchell McRight officiating. Mrs. Smith was born May 25, 1927, in Braine-l'Alleud, Belgium and died April 17.

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

Mr. and Mrs. Smith were married January 10, 1950, and she became a U.S. citizen that same year. They lived in Houston and she was employed by NASA - Johnson Space Center for 25 years. She was fluent in six languages. They retired to Jacksonville. She was a Catholic. Preceding her in death were her husband of 58 years, Wilburn Ray Smith; and her parents Nina and Jules Godfroid.

Survivors are her son and daughter-in-law, Geary Ray and Debbie Smith of Rockport; daughter, Vivian Smith of Jacksonville; three grandchildren, Eric Bertram and wife Susan, of San Antonio, Colin Smith and wife, Anna, of Austin and Cayce Smith of Austin; great-grandson, Steven Ray Smith of Austin; sister-in-law Jonnie Campbell of Jacksonville; and numerous nieces and nephews. Honorary pallbearers were Donald Campbell, Hal Wayne Campbell, Dennis Campbell, Raymond Folmar, Winson Bearden, Autry Funeral Home was in charge.

Information from The Cherokeean Herald