Helen J. Smith of San Angelo passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 20th, 2021. Helen was born in Winters, Texas on May 17th, 1924, to Thelma and Harold Hudgens. She attended grade school in the Baldwin Community, and graduated from Winters High School in 1941. It was there that she met her high school sweetheart, James Levawn “Smitty” Smith. On July 15th, 1942, she married “Smitty”, the love of her life for 62 years. After marrying, Smitty served in the U.S. Air Corps for three and a half years. For the next 42 years, Helen and Smitty lived in Menard, Texas. They had two children, a daughter, Rhonda, and a son, Kyle. They were longtime members of the Church of Christ.
Helen loved to be outdoors and worked next to Smitty at the ranch and “The Little Farm”, for her whole life. She was an avid nature lover, an incredibly talented artist, seamstress, baker, gardener and photographer. She loved hummingbirds and took the most incredible closeup shots of them. She had an eye for color, and with her very green thumb, Helen could grow anything, with a special passion for growing cacti. Helen also loved baking special occasion treats. Her family will never forget her signature pumpkin pies, cream puffs, Easter bread, and Christmas cookies. There was not much Helen could not do when she put her mind to it.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents Thelma and Harold Hudgens, her beloved husband James “Smitty” Smith and her granddaughter, Skyla Smith Copeland. Helen is survived by her daughter Rhonda Pope and husband, Wayne of San Angelo; her son, Kyle Smith and wife Teresa of College Station; her sister, Patsy Peterson and husband Bud of Lubbock; her grandchildren, Kara Pope of San Antonio, Kalis Pope and husband Owen of Ireland, Kris Pope and wife Allison of Austin, Kinsey Hansen and husband Eric of Wall, and Carlton Smith and wife Mariah of College Station; her great grandchildren, Linkoln, Harper, Beck, Evan, Ivy, Lucas and Leo; her niece Debie Jones; her nephew Duane Jones and wife Jennifer; her great niece Lauren; and great nephews, Jeremy, Jarred, and Trevor.
A private family graveside service will be held on July 24th at Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens in San Angelo, Texas. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of choice.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.johnsons-funeralhome.com for the Smith family.
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