Valrie Yvonne Fluke

Valrie Yvonne “Von” Fluke, 91, passed peaceably into the glory of Heaven on February 27, 2024, surrounded by family and loved ones. Prayers, her resilience, and God’s grace sustained her in recent weeks to allow her to hear and exchange one more “I love you” with her children, their spouses, each of her five grandchildren, cousins, friends, and caregivers, all of whom felt her love, to the quiet end.

She was born in Mexia, Texas on February 18, 1933, to the loving union of Floyd Braxton “Doc” Smith and Eva (Thornton) Smith of Prairie Hill, Texas, and later of Bellmead. She was known by her extended family and all who knew her from youth as “Honey”, which matched her sweet loving character. Her love of family had deep roots. As Doc’s brother, Roy Lynn, married Eva’s sister, Jimmie, the large Smith Brothers’ and Thornton Sisters’ families were united, creating close family of aunts, uncles and double-cousins of which she was a joyous part. This would shape Honey’s life, and her devotion to family.

A voracious reader from her earliest days, Von graduated from Bellmead’s La Vega High School in 1950. Soon after, the young and pretty “Honey” (Von), working as an elevator operator at Waco’s historic ALICO building, caught the eye and attention of a handsome recently returned WWII sailor, Albert Eugene “Gene” Fluke, who was then working as a lineman for the nearby WACO Radio Station. They would soon marry and move to Pasadena, Texas, where they made their home, and began their sixty-year journey of love, until Gene’s passing in 2010.

Von is preceded in death by her husband Gene, brother Jimmie Ray Smith, her parents and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and loving relatives. Someone once suggested the wonderful image—that as we watched our beloved family matriarch sail off slowly toward the far horizon to Glory, scores of her family and loved ones, with our Lord, on that distant shore, saw at first a tiny speck on the distant horizon, until, moving closer, growing larger, she arrived, to hear them say “Welcome, Honey, we’ve been waiting, until this perfect time, for you.”

The plan of the Lord was for Von and Gene to be parents, and they were amazing parents to Gena and Randy, for whom their love, pride and support was always evident. She also loved her children’s spouses as her own children. It would be the role of Nanny to her grandchildren and great grandchildren that she especially loved and where she would shine- her eyes sparkling at the sight of them. She cherished every opportunity to play and spend time with them, and to encourage them in their accomplishments. They adored her in return.

Von was always a lady of action. She was, of course, always involved in the education, development and activities of her children and husband, yet there was more. Von loved to bowl. Randy’s first words might have even been “bowling alley,” as Von was a star player, with many 200-game trophies, as proof. Von was also a very fun and creative lady. She enjoyed crafts, finding and preparing new recipes, and was an excellent seamstress. She demonstrated excellence in all kinds of needlework, creating heirloom Christmas stockings for family and for the new babies of friends. She spent untold hours on numerous intricate, beautiful, counted cross-stitch works that she enjoyed presenting as surprise gifts that will be cherished for generations. Von was also a longtime crackerjack crossword puzzle worker and loved word games. Also, as members of the National Hiking and Camping Association, for years, Von and Gene camped often and traveled much. Von endured more than loved RV camping, because she loved the fun times with friends and family, all of whom loved camping and RV trips with her. In addition to being a wonderful homemaker, Von enjoyed her years of working as a pharmacy assistant at King’s Rexall Drug Store, and later for Wal Mart Pharmacies. Christmas was her favorite holiday, and short of Santa no one was better at celebrating Christmas in such a big way!

Von received the Lord as her Savior at an early age, and loved the Lord. She relished the fellowship of her church family at Asbury Methodist Church, and later at Golden Acres Baptist Church (now New Day), in Pasadena.

Von is survived by daughter, Gena Marie Kone (Ed), and son, Randall Lynn Fluke (Emily). As part of her loving legacy she is survived by her grandchildren and great grandchildren: Jonathan Kone (Megan)(children: Liam and Emma); Jordan Kone (Shanna)(children: Jude and Juliet), C. Austin Fluke (Lauren)(child: Riley); Erin (Fluke) Dunlap (Graham); and, Caroline (Fluke) Erck (John) (child: George). She is survived by niece Cathy Walker and nephews Bill Roberts and Jim Roberts. She is also survived by beloved cousins Linda Bowen, Ron Mumford, Donna Gail Easterwood, Brent Berryman, LeeAnn Whitton, and their families, and many other cousins too numerous to name but each of whom she dearly loved.

The family appreciates the loving care of Elmira, Mary, Susan, and Tracy, caregivers through Home Instead, whom Von loved and were like family to her.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, March 8, 2024 at Grand View Funeral Home, 8501 Spencer Highway, Pasadena. A funeral service, officiated by the Reverend Brannon Revel, former Pastor, Golden Acres Baptist Church, will be held Saturday, March 9, 2024 at 10 a.m. in the Chapel of Grand View Funeral Home. Interment, there, will follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Von Fluke to Ronald McDonald House Charities – Greater Houston (rmhchouston.org), a cause that she loved; or, to any church or to your favorite charity.

She was greatly loved, and will greatly missed. We love you forever, Mom.