Velma Faye Smith

Velma Faye Smith, a longtime Austin resident, passed away peacefully on January 18, 2011 at Seton Northwest Hospital in Austin, Texas, just a few days after her 79th birthday. Faye was born Velma Faye Williams on January 15, 1932 in Beeville, Texas, to William E. Williams and Harper Velma Williams. Faye married William E. Harris in 1950, and they had their children, Bill Harris, Jim Harris and Sandy Walker. Faye attended Durham Business College in San Antonio and began her career in banking. Faye worked in banking most of her life at the National Bank of Commerce in San Antonio and Capital National Bank in Austin.

Faye loved Las Vegas and the casinos in Louisiana, good food, entertaining her family at home, and socializing. She had a smile that could light up the room. Faye was a very caring person who helped most anyone in need.

Faye was diagnosed with cancer in February 2010, but under the care of the M.D. Anderson staff in Houston, and Dr. Shannon Cox in Austin, she was cancer-free in August 2010. Faye fell ill recently and the excellent staff at Seton Northwest Hospital ICU helped her last days to be as comfortable as possible. The family specifically wishes to thank Jennifer and Dr. Soubra for taking such good care of her. Though Faye faced several health issues in the last years of her life, they never affected her kindness.

Faye was preceded in death by her parents William Williams and Velma Williams, and brother Turner.

Faye is survived by her children, Bill Harris and wife Jan, Jim Harris and wife Pam, and Sandy Walker; her grandchildren Allison, Kristi, Stephanie, Kimberly, Jimmy, Tommie, Valerie, and Natalie; great-grandchildren Jayden and Devyn. She is also survived by sister Wylma Lea and brothers James and Dean, and numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, aunts, uncles, and previous husbands William Harris and Chuck Smith.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 21, 2011 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home on 14501 N IH-35 in Pflugerville, TX. Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 22, 2011, also at Cook- Walden/Capital Parks. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. (www.alzfdn.org)

To share memories about Velma, please visit www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com