Deborah Kay Smith

Deborah Kay Smith, 59, passed away November 25 at her home in Austin. Born in West Virginia, she arrived in Nederland Texas as an infant and considered herself a native Texan. Following in her mother’s tradition she decided to become an educator and after graduating from Nederland High School she acquired her undergraduate degree at Lamar University and then her Masters from the University of Houston. In over a 35 year career she served as a teacher and counselor in public schools in Texas and the San Francisco area. Kay was currently employed with AISD as a counselor at Eastside Memorial High School after returning to Texas from Sausalito CA.

Kay is preceded in death by her beloved mother Margret Jean Grounds and her long time companion Bentley the cat and childhood friend Danger the dachshund. She is survived by her husband of twenty-three years Lee Smith, her two much loved and loving Cavalier spaniels, Henry and Gracie, sister Carroll Orr also a counselor, brother Kip, sister Jan and the many children whose lives she touched.

A memorial service will be held Saturday December, 4th at 12:00 noon in the Chapel of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 1500 North Capital of Texas Highway, Austin.

In lieu of flowers a memorial contribution may be made to the Austin Humane Society or your choice of animal welfare organizations.