Mrs. Jean Dell Smith

Jean was born in San Antonio, Texas and grew up in Carrizo Springs, Texas, where she graduated from Carrizo Springs High School. Jean then left for the bright lights of Austin and the University of Texas where she was and would always be a Kappa Alpha Theta. She graduated from UT with a “Bachelor of Science” in 1968. Shortly after graduation, she married and moved to San Diego, and then to Houston where she settled and began her family. Jean loved living in Houston, and created a wonderful life, surrounded by friends, as she reared her two young children, Will and Katherine, in Southampton. In 1990, a mutual friend introduced Jean to Yale Smith. Two years later, Jean married for the second time and couple moved with the children to River Oaks, where they shared many wonderful years together.

It is difficult to summarize a life filled with such diverse pursuits and accomplishments. Among many things, Jean was a lover of the outdoors who throughout her lifetime enjoyed hunting and fishing on her family’s Carrizo Springs ranch with her children and more recently, spending time at the family’s ranch in La Grange, Texas with her husband. Although never afraid of hard work or getting her hands dirty, Jean’s rural roots were complemented by a world of sophisticated interests. She was passionate about the fine arts in every form and dedicated countless hours of her time and thoughts to painting, sculpture, and music. She was a talented artist in her own right and of course didn’t mind putting her knowledge of the arts and an artful eye to good use in order to seek out and acquire beautiful things for her home. Jean was a nationally recognized pianist and a beautiful singer. She was a fanatical writer who wrote with the impeccable grammar and punctuation that she learned from her mother, an English teacher. From poetry to prose, to the simplest correspondence, writing was her way of reaching out and looking inward. Emails were not her thing, and no amount of persuasion could convince her to give up pen and paper. Reading was another favorite pastime, especially reading to her children when they were young, and sharing her love of literature with them. Jean loved details, and there were none too small to address. She found great joy in putting effort and enthusiasm into every task, mundane or exotic, and her ability to “put things together” for occasions such as parties, book club meetings or holiday meals was unparalleled, as was her ability to put together just the right outfit. She loved animals; but she also loved fur. Jean’s abundance of energy found many deserving causes, one of which was cheering for UT football.

She loved volunteering and did so for a variety of organizations including: The San Diego Museum of Art where she was Chairman of the SDMFA “FANS” program; Zoo Friends of Houston where she was President and also the recipient of the Jane Block Award in 1997; The Houston Symphony League where she was a member of the Board of Directors, Chairman of the Houston Symphony League Concerto Competition and Ladies Style Show; Corresponding Secretary, Vice President of the Annual Fund and an avid supporter of the HS Ima Hogg Young Artist Competition; Theta Rush Advisor for the San Diego State University and a member of the Houston Theta Rush Board; Kappa Alpha Theta where she was a Board Member, Secretary for the Houston Chapter and Ticket Chairman for The Theta Charity Antiques Show; The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, where she was a docent, lecturer and teacher of art history, President of the Docent Guild, and a member of the Board of Trustees; additionally, she was chairman of several events for the The Glassell School of Art, and The Junior League of Houston. Jean and Yale were also instrumental in establishing a Fayette County Ex-Students’ Association scholarship at the Red McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas in Austin.

Jean loved to laugh and appreciated the moments of humor that were a part of her daily life. She was constantly entertained by the antics of Sergeant, the family beagle, and sometimes entertained by the antics of her children. But anyone who knew Jean knew that the greatest joys in her life was her family. She was devoted to every aspect of her family, and she never missed the opportunity to spend time with them and share her love. She will be missed by all who knew her, and were lucky enough to have known her as a friend, wife, and mother.

Jean Smith is preceded in death by her beloved father, the late William Dullnig, affectionately known to his family as “Suttie” or “Papa.” She is survived by her loving husband, Yale Smith; children, Katherine Harper and Will Harper; mother, Gladys Dullnig; brother, Jon Dullnig and his wife Judith and their children Hadley and Austin; and her dear cousin Stanton Paul Bell; and the Bell and Seale family of San Antonio.

Arrangements in Houston are entrusted to Geo. H. Lewis & Sons – The Funeral Directors Since 1936, 713.789.3005.

The memorial service, in celebration of Jean's life, is to be conducted at two o'clock in the afternoon on Tuesday, the 13th of April, in the Sanctuary of St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 3471 Westheimer Road in Houston, where Dr. Tom Pace, Senior Pastor, is to officiate.

Immediately following the service, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent Hines Baker Room.

In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions in memory of Jean may be directed to The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, P.O. Box 6826, Houston, TX, 77265-6826.