Faye E. Harder Smith passed away on Saturday, October 17, 2020 at a hospital in Kingsville, Texas at the age of 96. She was born on October 3, 1924 to C.F. Harder and Elizabeth Richert Harder in Corn, Oklahoma. Faye graduated from Falfurrias High School, where she was the Senior Class President, and then attended Secretarial school in San Antonio. She met the love of her life, C.L. “Smitty” Smith, while he was stationed at the Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio. After WWII ended, they married in San Antonio and then moved to south Texas and together they raised three sons.
Faye was a former member of the Presbyterian Church and after the church closed down, she became a lifetime member of the First United Methodist Church of Premont. She was an avid bird watcher who also loved to garden and hunting.
Faye is preceded in death by her parents, C.F. and Elizabeth Harder; her beloved husband of 61 years, C.L. “Smitty” Smith; her three brothers, Abe (Ann) Harder, Bill (Beatrice) Harder and Sam (Ethel) Harder.
She is survived by her sons, Jimmy R. (Melva) Smith of Kingsville, Richard D. (Rebecca) Smith of Concan, Texas and Randy L. Smith of Hempstead, Texas; four grandchildren, Carrie (Jon) Lindley of San Antonio, Texas, Christi (Jeff) Siegel of Cedar Park, Texas, Justin (Bandy) Smith of Clovis, New Mexico and David Keefer of Spring, Texas; four great-grandchildren, Lily and Holly Siegel of Cedar Park, Reagan Smith of Hockley, Texas and Kamryn Keefer of Charlestown, Indiana.
Special thanks to all the Lone Star Ranch Rehab and Healthcare Center nurses and staff and to Dr. Jose Ugarte. Heartfelt appreciation is expressed to Flor Mar of Premont, for her longtime caregiving of Faye.
Pallbearers will be Justin Smith, Jeff Siegel, Jon Lindley, Mike Smith, Forrest Lanmon and David Keefer. Honorary Pallbearer is Jesse Howell.
Viewing will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 21, 2020 at the Funeraria Del Angel Howard Williams in Falfurrias. A Graveside Service will follow at 11:00 a.m. at the Premont Cemetery.
