Hope Y. Smithson

Hope Ybarra Wilkie Smithson went into the arms of our Lord Jesus on January 8, 2021, at the age of 86. A lifelong devout Roman Catholic, her two proudest accomplishments were raising five Faithful children, and receiving her master’s degree in Theology from St. Mary’s University, San Antonio.

As a military bride, Hope spent her younger years traveling and raising her children overseas, ensuring they learned to appreciate the beauty and diversity of the people and cultures in Asia and Europe. She eventually settled in San Antonio where she enrolled in college after her children were grown. Hope was a founding member of the Non-traditional Students Organization at St. Mary’s University, where, in the early 1980’s, it was rare to see a grandmother as a full-time student. Upon graduation, she served as a Director of Religious Education for several Catholic churches in San Antonio.

Hope is preceded in death by her husbands, Reginald O. Wilkie, Jr. and Karl Stanley Smithson; her parents Mary Hope Gonzales Ybarra and Jesse Ernest Ybarra; and her two brothers, Ruben Tamez and Jesse T. Ybarra. She is survived by her sister, Sr. Mary Ybarra O.P., and her children; Reginald O. Wilkie, III (Linda Wilkie), Renee Smithson Jones, Karl Stanley Smithson, Jr., Denise Smithson Sheffield and Cherie Smithson Leingang (Jeff Leingang). She was also the proud grandmother of ten; Holden Wilkie, Marit Wilkie, Carina Jones, Kyle Smithson, Leland Smithson, Harrison Sheffield, Grant Sheffield, Dr. Bryce Smithson, Seth Leingang, and Mara Leingang.

A celebration of life and recitation of the Holy Rosary will take place on January 26, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 4222 S.W. Loop 410, San Antonio, where Hope was a member for 60 years. A memorial Mass will be held at St. Vincent de Paul on January 27, 2021 at 10:00 a.m., followed by internment at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Catholic Charities.

We ask friends who wish they could have been present to view the recorded service below: