LaDawn Frances Deuel Smith

On Thursday, April 18, LaDawn Frances Deuel Smith went to be in heaven with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ where she is now praising Him without pain or suffering. LaDawn was born on Nov. 23, 1967 in Bryan, TX to Lloyd and Vicki Deuel. She graduated from A&M Consolidated High School in 1985 and from Texas A&M University with a speech communications degree in 1989. She married Robert S. Smith in December of 1990 and they had three children together – Robby Stephany Smith, Kayley Brooke Smith, and Brandon Robert Smith. During the last few years of her life, LaDawn lived in the loving care of her parents here in College Station.

LaDawn loved people and always had a smile on her face in everything she did. She loved all of the classes she got to substitute teach for in College Station Independent School District. She was passionate about engaging her students in new and exciting ways. Investing in these kids reminded her of how much she valued and loved her own three.

Nothing gave her more joy than raising Robby Stephany, Kayley, and Brandon. She taught them all to love well and work hard. She constantly shared everything she had and made it possible for her children to achieve their goals and dreams. She loved watching them do many wonderful things from traveling for sports, playing on varsity teams, and competing in contests around the country to studying abroad, going on missions, and helping those in need. No matter what, she put her kids above herself, providing for them before her own needs. One thing she always said is, “what’s mine is yours.”

Some of her most cherished memories included her time as a Bengal Belle and as a flautist in the band at A&M Consolidated High School. She never stopped dancing throughout her life. She always wanted to be going and moving, whether just around town, at the lake with family, or traveling. She valued all of the friendships she made through all of her activities from dance friends to brownies, student council classmates to college co-workers, and Bible study ladies to her new-found nurse friends.

More important to her than anything else in the world was her faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She taught Sunday school, helped with AWANA’s, worked in the nursery and for the mother’s day out program, and always made sure her children were as involved as possible. She was actively involved in her Sunday School class and even attended the Easter service while in the middle of intense treatment.

One of her favorite Scripture passages was Psalm 103:1-5

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefit 3 who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,

5 who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.”

In lieu of flowers, a college fund has been set-up at the Bank and Trust in College Station. If you would like to contribute, please contact them in regards to the LaDawn Smith Memorial Fund.

Pallbearers will be her brother and cousins: Chet, Carl, Brian, and Cade Deaver; Andy, Joe, and Charles Deuel.

Honorary pallbearer: Brandon Smith. Those attending the memorial please wear your Aggie maroon.

We sincerely thank Dr. Erin Fleener and the staff at St. Joseph Cancer Center for all of their life-prolonging care.