Yvonne Schmidt

Yvonne Joyce Schmidt, 99, passed November 6, 2025. She was born Yvonne Joyce Waldrop on September 21, 1926 to Roy and Fleda Waldrop of Coleman County, Texas. One of five children, she grew up in central Texas during the Great Depression graduating from Ballinger High School in 1943. She attended West Texas Teacher’s College in Canyon Texas for two years and then taught in a small country school at Love Community, Texas, for the 1944/1945 school year. After moving to Everett, Washington in 1945, she met and married a sailor named Donald F. Schmidt on February 21, 1947. Working with Don and raising five children kept her busy until she returned to WTSU at age 40 and completed her degree in Education in 1968. She subsequently taught for twenty four years at only one school - Oakdale Elementary in Amarillo till her retirement in 1993. Following her retirement, she worked many years as a volunteer for Ronald McDonald House and other organizations while caring for Don until his death in 1999.

In addition to her volunteer work, she enjoyed regularly attending performances at the Amarillo Symphony and the Amarillo Little Theater. Most importantly, Yvonne was always an active member of her church. Over the years, she attended Fairview Baptist, Coulter Road Baptist (where she taught adult classes for many years), and First Baptist Church.

Yvonne is preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Fleda Waldrop, her brothers, Roy Porter, Hubert, and Keith Waldrop, her husband, Don Schmidt, a daughter-in-law, Karen Schmidt, a granddaughter-in-law, Stephanie Gray, and a great-granddaughter, Wrenley James Gray.

Yvonne is survived by her sister, Jan Clements, of Fort Worth; a son, Terry Schmidt, of Amarillo and his wife, Priscilla; a daughter, Cindy Gray, of Amarillo and her husband, James; a son, Mike Schmidt, of Amarillo; a daughter, Sandy Jorgenson, of Norman, OK and her husband, John; and a son, Scott Schmidt, of Amarillo.

Grandchildren James Schmidt and wife, Alisha, of New Bern, NC; Geoff Schmidt and Jessy Morrison of Amarillo; Mike Gray and wife, Natalie, of Amarillo, David Gray and wife, Hollee, of Amarillo; Anna Gray of San Antonio; Teri McKinney and husband, Steve, of Amarillo; Chris Schmidt of Amarillo; and Chris Jorgenson and wife, Robin, of Norman, OK.

Great-grandchildren Garrett and Gracie Schmidt of New Bern, NC; Lansin, Ellie, and Scottie Schmidt of Amarillo, TX; Emily Nicks and husband, Riley, of Lubbock, TX; Taylor Ortiz and husband, Jonah, of Lubbock, TX; Cy, Wil, and Heidi Gray of Amarillo, TX; Beau Gray and Makaila Hall of Canyon, TX; Brylee Gray of Amarillo, TX; Drew Gray and wife, Alexis, of New Braunfels, TX; Sophia Schmidt of Amarillo, TX; Brooke and Cecelia McKinney of Amarillo, TX; Carter Bates of Amarillo, TX; and Quinton and Remington Jorgenson of Norman, OK.

Great-great-grandchildren Jayce and Lucas Gray of San Antonio, TX; and Waylen and Stevee Gray of Amarillo, TX; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Yvonne was a fierce defender of her family, a trusted friend, a caring mentor and life coach, a servant, and Christian woman. She was best described by a friend and fellow teacher as “a woman of immense joy and grace.”