Mrs. Donna Grace Smith

Donna was born in Bellflower, California, in 1934 and spent her early life traveling as the child of a U.S. Navy sailor. Later, she continued her global adventures as a member of the U.S. Air Force and as a military spouse. Upon the retirement of her beloved husband of 48 years, CMSgt William M Smith, she resettled in San Antonio in 1993.

As a child, Donna watched from a street corner as Japanese planes flew overhead toward Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. Her father, Donald, then a civil engineer, was able to enter the base during the attack, locate his men and saved them all by moving them to a secure location. As the United States entered World War II, schools on Hawaii were converted into medical facilities to treat wounded warriors. She would sing for and entertain the troops.

The event left a lasting mark on the young girl. When the military began enlisting women to serve alongside men, her father encouraged his eldest daughter to join the Air Force in 1953. She completed basic training at Lackland AFB, performed duties as a radio repair technician and then as a recruiter in Hawaii. She served for three years when she chose to marry a fellow Airman and was discharged.

That union resulted in three children, Kathleen G. Burt of San Antonio; Karole D. Dillard and Keith W. Burt, both of whom recently preceded her in death.

In 1976, she met her soulmate in a continuing education course at St. Philips College. They married the following year and began a journey that would take them around the world with the Air Force. Donna exuded the beauty and promise of America everywhere she went. She had a gift for languages and always spoke to people she met abroad in their native tongue. In return, she patiently taught them English. She was intensely creative in the kitchen, cooking and baking dishes from all over the world.

Beyond her love of America and the military, she had a passion for gardening. In her later years, she became a certified master gardener, master naturalist and a member of the Native Plant Society. She was instrumental in forming the Lindheimer Chapter of the Native Plant Society in New Braunfels. She and Chief Smith volunteered for many years at the Lindheimer Haus. She could coax beautiful plants from rocky Hill Country soil through her use of compost and crop rotation. She held a special affinity for roses.

In addition to loving husband CMSgt Smith, daughter Kathleen, son-in-law Neal, daughter-in-law Carolyn and Gina. Donna is survived by two sisters, Dianne and Dollie Jean; nieces and nephews; grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also was preceded in death by a sister, Darlene.

Graveside services begin at 9:15 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 18 at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. Her arrangements are being handled by Porter Loring Mortuary West. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the New Braunfels Conservation Society/Lindheimer Haus, 1300 Church Hill Drive, New Braunfels, TX 78130.

Pallbearers will be Juan Rivera, Terry Thompson, Steve Perez, Gilbert Ramon, Jim Momone, and Sean Vasquez. Rev. Edward A. Tello BA, Mth will officiate.