Kelly Sharyn Samohyl

Kelly was preceded in death by her mother, Mary McGown Sexton; sister, Kristen Capps; and uncles William, Michael, and Kevin McGown, and William Samohyl. She is survived by her father, Robert Samohyl (Izabel Ninow); stepfather, Patrick Sexton (Ana Graue); her aunt, Patricia Bouillion, and uncle, Richard Miller; her brother, Daniel Sexton; her niblings Ainsley (David Kukulski), Keaton, Curran, Gavin and Deaglan Hendershot as well as grand-nibling Duncan Kukulski; her husband, Wayne Smith; and her beloved little dog, Mini.

Kelly was born on August 24th, 1969 to Robert and Mary (née McGown) Samohyl. She grew up in Houston, Texas and Santa Catarina, Brazil. She graduated from Klein Forest High School in 1987 and went on to attend Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas, where she earned her BFA in Theater in 1995.

Kelly was the bright morning star of her family, who never shied away from her own personal struggles and would never leave a friend or loved one to suffer alone in the dark. A Renaissance woman (literally!) that inherited her mother’s love of the fantastical, she shared her passion for theater, Ren fests, cooking, and costumes with her niblings, many of whom became artists in their own rights. Kelly liked to joke that she had an expiration date for jobs because she was always looking for her next adventure. When she wasn’t introducing you to her new favorite comic book, campy movie, or TV show, she loved to be outdoors and could be found camping, strolling along the beach, or just walking along a trail with her little shadow, Mini Dog. Kelly’s sharp sense of humor and earnest laughter were the highlight of any family gathering, and we will miss the color and joy she brought to our lives.

Kelly was always passionate about improving the lives of the marginalized. In lieu of flowers, we humbly request donations be made in her name to the Houston Area Women’s Center (hawc.org), The Montrose Center (montrosecenter.org), or the Texas Equal Access Fund (teafund.org/).

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.heightsfuneralhome.com for the Samohyl family.