Lera Bess Shelander Smith

Lera Bess Shelander Smith Lera Bess Shelander Smith of Austin, formerly of Beaumont, died October 17, 2007, at the age of 87. Lera was born September 4, 1920, in San Benito, Texas, and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in San Antonio. She attended Southwest Texas State Teachers’ College (now Texas State University) and in 1942 married Vaner A. Smith. Many years and three children later, Lera obtained a degree from Lamar University in 1967 and taught second grade in Beaumont for many years. Lera was preceded in death by her husband Vaner Addison Smith, parents Charles O. and Lera Dillon Shelander, and brother Charles William Shelander. She is survived by daughters Suzy Juncker of Austin and Laura Rech of Collinsville, OK; son Vaner Charles Smith and wife Ann of Richardson; grandchildren Jill Juncker of Dallas; Dr. Brian Juncker of Madison, Wisconsin; Amy Caster, husband Landry, and son Joshua of Fort Worth; 1Lt. Wesley Smith of Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma; and David Rech and son Austin of Collinsville, Oklahoma; and lifelong friend Mary Pendleton of Austin. For many years she was a member of Chapter EG of PEO. A much loved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, Lera will be missed greatly. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, October 19, 2007 at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home. Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 20, 2007 at Austin Memorial Park, Austin, Texas. The family wishes to express its deep appreciation for the nurses and staff at Park Bend Health Center and at Odyssey Healthcare. Their loving care prolonged her life and greatly enhanced its quality. Memorials may be made to Cottey College Educational Fund, 1000 West Austin Blvd, Nevada, Missouri 64712-2790. Arrangements by Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, Texas 78705 (512) 452-8811. Obituary and guestbook online at wcfish.com