Jean K. Smith

Smith, Jean Knight, 84, departed peacefully from this life on October 27, 2015, surrounded by her loving and devoted family. Jean and her twin sister, Joan, were born on January 24, 1931, to Doris and George Knight, and grew up with an older brother, Roger Knight, in the city of Lansing, Michigan. Jean earned a BBA degree from Michigan State University. She moved to Dallas in 1951 where, while serving as a flight attendant for American Airlines, she met the true love of her life, Charles Robert (“Dr. Bob”) Smith, M.D., a pediatrician who was then serving in the United States Air Force as a flight surgeon assigned to the Strategic Air Command. From that point forward, Jean and Dr. Bob were inseparable. They eloped and were married in 1953, and started their family in 1954.

Jean and Dr. Bob were a loyal, caring couple devoted to their family and long-time residents of Highland Park where they nurtured and raised an active family of four daughters and a son in a vibrant neighborhood of countless friends and colleagues. Dr. Bob founded Doctors Hospital in 1957 that grew to a 300-bed acute care health facility and Doctors Healthcare Center in 1965, a 330-bed long-term care facility, each located in the White Rock area of Dallas. Jean served as vice chairman of the Board of Directors of Doctors Hospital from 1974 until 1984 and was a member of the Board of Directors of Doctors Healthcare Center from 1972 until 1995. She also actively supported the professional endeavors of Dr. Bob throughout this time when he continued his medical practice as a board-certified pediatrician from 1955 to 1971, while continuing to develop Doctors Hospital, where from 1959 to 1984 Dr. Bob served as its chief executive officer.

The epitome of grace and style, Jean was beautiful, both outwardly and inwardly. She was the heart and soul of her family, with deep affection, loyalty and tenderness. Her strong moral character and generosity made her someone to rely on for strength and support in difficult times. Her warm, loving presence will be greatly missed by her family, friends and all that knew and loved her dearly.

Jean and Dr. Bob consistently exhibited a history of giving selflessly of their time and resources for the benefit of others. They touched the lives of many through the Dr. Bob and Jean Smith Foundation, with particular emphasis on providing special support to medical, educational, and arts and cultural endeavors within the DFW Metroplex communities, including, among others, UT Southwestern Medical Center in the areas of urology, neurology, and psychiatry, Baylor Medical Center, Baylor University College of Medicine (for pediatric cancer), Children’s Medical Center of Dallas (for pediatric urology), Parkland Hospital, Southern Methodist University, Buckner International, the George W. Bush Presidential Center, Methodist Hospitals of Dallas Foundation (trauma and critical care center), Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, AT&T Performing Arts Center, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, and the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. Following Dr. Bob’s demise in 2006, Jean assumed the offices of chief executive officer and chairperson of the Dr. Bob and Jean Smith Foundation, which under her leadership has continued to support charitable causes of this nature, including the new Dr. Bob Smith Health Center presently under construction on the campus of SMU and currently slated for completion in late 2016. Jean also was a long-time member of Christ the King Catholic Church, and a former director of the Board of the Tate Lecture Series at SMU, a former member of the Junior League of Dallas, a former director of the Dallas Museum of Art, and a member of the Crystal Charity Ball and the Dallas Country Club. Jean enjoyed spending summers in Hawaii with Dr. Bob and family for over 20 years and the Pebble Beach/Monterrey Peninsula area, California, during the most recent 15 years.

A valued friend of many, a considerate, generous lady of dignity who always thought first of others, Jean was devoted to her family and her community. She is preceded in death by Dr. Bob, her beloved husband of 52 years; her daughter, Patricia A. Smith; her twin sister, Joan Knight Runciman; and her parents, Doris and George Knight. She is survived by her daughter, Sally Smith Mashburn and her husband, Waddell, of Dallas; her daughter, Suzanne Smith Welfelt, and her husband, Rick, of Dallas; her son, Scott Smith, of Dallas; her daughter, Marty Smith Kelley and her husband, Myles, of Dallas; her brother, Roger Knight, of Tacoma, Washington; her brother-in-law, Ron Runciman, D.O., of Santa Barbara, California; and six grandchildren: Whitney Wallace; Myles, Jr., Brooks, and Christiana Kelley; and Jonathan and Sam Welfelt; and a host of caring and devoted friends.

May the angels lead Jean, born to eternal life on October 27, 2015, to the face of Christ in the paradise promised at her baptism where only joy and happiness are known for all eternity, and may perpetual light shine upon her.

The family expresses its appreciation and profound gratitude to Jean’s tireless and loving caretakers, dearest Martha Chavarria, Trena Mack, LaShon Gilkey, Belinda Leffall and Gleneisha Rowden, for their attention to her every need.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, November 4, 2015, at Christ the King Catholic Church, 8017 Preston Rd., Dallas, Texas 75225, with a reception to immediately follow the service at the church. Burial will be private in Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends at 6:30 pm on Tuesday, November 3, 2015, at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home, 7405 W. Northwest Hwy., Dallas, Texas 75225. A Prayer Vigil will begin at 7:00 pm following visitation at the Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be directed to UT Southwestern Medical Center, P.O. Box 910888, Dallas, Texas 75391-0888, or online at www.utsouthwestern.edu/donatenow to support Stroke Care. Online condolences can be expressed at www.sparkman-hillcrest.com.