On Friday, January 21, 2022, Julie Eileen (Johnson) Smart, went to sleep and never awoke. She was as beautiful and peaceful as one can only hope for. We will miss her charming dimples, the laughter she brought, and the love she gave.
The youngest of two daughters, Julie was born to Warren and Judith (Hockabout) Johnson on October 9, 1963 in Nebraska City, Nebraska. Julie grew up on a family farm in a small town called Glenwood, Iowa. She enjoyed playing sports and was an absolute farm girl at heart. In school, Julie participated in every activity she could get her hands on. She became State of Iowa President of Future Homemakers of America, played basketball, softball, and volleyball, a majorette in the high school marching band, played saxophone in the jazz band, active in the drama department, inducted into the Iowa Honor Society, elected class president, and went on to win homecoming queen. In her spare time she worked at a Hallmark store called Donna's Cards and Gifts, spent time with her dog, Boots, and collected unicorns.
After graduating from Glenwood High School, Julie received an associates degree in sign language interpreting from Iowa Western Community College. She then worked 2 years at Gretna Schools in Nebraska as an American Sign Language Interpreter.
During her time at Iowa Western, Julie met and married William (Bill) E. Mckay in 1985. In 1987 they were overjoyed to welcome their daughter, Anna Josa Mckay, and shortly after moved to Houston, Texas where Bill worked as a truck driver. Sadly, Bill lost his life in a trucking accident 1988, leaving Julie a widow with a one year old daughter at the age of 24. Friends and family describe their marriage as one being filled with love and laughter.
After Bill's death, Julie moved back to Iowa where she met her future husband, Daniel Ray Smart. Shortly after welcoming a daughter in 1990, Rae Ellen Smart, Julie went back to school at College of St. Mary where she obtained a Bachelors in Nursing. The family then moved to Houston, Texas to be closer to Julie's parents. On February 12, 2000 Julie married her soulmate and best friend, Dan. They then settled in Spring, Texas where they raised their two daughters.
Julie started her nursing in direct patient care, eventually moving to surgical and in a short time transitioned to healthcare administration. Throughout her career she was known to be considerate, fun to work with, and the best boss there ever was. She truly cared about each one of her patients, coworkers, and employees. She was involved in the planning and construction of numerous hospitals and outpatient surgical centers. She even assisted on a mission in Uganda to help restore sight to visually impaired patients. Julie's caring spirit led to her involvement as a nurse in the most unexpected situations. Her family can recall many times when out in public, Julie noticed someone needing medical assistance and she never hesitated to help. Even stopping to lend a hand when the family witnessed a car wreck while on vacation.
Julie loved to spend time with her husband, Dan - riding their matching motorcycles, attending concerts, spending time with friends and family, and traveling. To be around the two meant you'd be doubled over from laughter. Her humor and quick wit would leave you uncertain on what she would say next. Their favorite vacations spot was the family cabin in Minnesota, where Grandpa (Warren) taught everyone to fish for Northern Pike and we ended the day with Grandma's (Judy) home cooking.
After purchasing acreage in Montgomery, Texas the family calls "The Homestead" in 2016, a majority of her past time came to be looking after her chickens (she named every single one), hatching new ones, and riding her lawn mower. Her goal was to get back to her farm girl roots and build a home on the property to give back to her parents. Little did we know The Homestead would become the heart of the family, hosting Thanksgivings, Christmases, countless fish fries, and even her daughters wedding. Julie's favorite moments were drinking coffee on the porch with her family while watching her grandkids chase chickens and get tractor rides from Grandpa.
Out of all the nicknames Julie had - JJ, Bug, Jules - her favorite was Jamma. From back scratches, mudbugs, and endless snacks to days spent at the Renaissance Festival, any chance she could get to spend time with the grandkids she would take.
"Julie was one of a kind. Smart, witty, kind, beautiful inside and out, and funny as heck. She will be missed and forever in all of our hearts."
Julie is preceded in death by her husband, William E. Mckay; and her father, Warren S. Johnson.
She is survived by her husband, Daniel R. Smart; daughters, Anna J. Miller (husband Chad), and Rae E. Hinna (husband Zachary); grandkids, Damian R. Smart, Nathanael V. Derington, Blake J. Miller, Henry R. Hinna, and Heidi L. Miller; mother, Judith E. Johnson; and sister, Kimberly J. Roenfeld (Timothy); Julie is also survived by many nephews, nieces, cousins, and extended family and friends.
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