Yvonne Starnes Smith

Yvonne Starnes Smith, 84, died Saturday, July 23, 2011 at a local hospital. Funeral services will be Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. at the Hillcrest Church of Christ with Terry Brown and William Eudy, from Mineral Wells, officiating. Burial will be in Cedar Hill Cemetery under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. The family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday evening at The Hamil Family Funeral Home Chapel. Mrs. Smith was born March 23, 1927 in Houston, Texas. She moved with her parents, Rufus G. and Drue Starnes, in 1937 to Abilene, where she attended Abilene public schools, graduating from Abilene High School in 1944. She attended Abilene Christian College (1944-1946) and North Texas State Teachers College (now the University of North Texas) in Denton (1946-1947). In 1949, Yvonne moved to Odessa, Texas, where she met the love of her life, Roger Alan Smith. They were married October 21, 1950, in Abilene. Yvonne and Roger moved back to Abilene. Roger enrolled in Abilene Christian College, and Yvonne began working as a bookkeeper at First State Bank, Fidelity Enterprises and McMurry College. She became a travel agent, working with Abilene Travel, Enzor Travel, and Supertravel agencies. After she retired, she and Roger worked at Yellowstone National Park for two summers. The Smiths were members of the 16th and Vine Church of Christ from 1953 until 1994, and have been members of the Hillcrest Church of Christ from 1994 to the present. Yvonne was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Rufus G. Starnes, Jr.; her sister, Elaine Bryant; and a nephew, Robert Starnes. She is survived by her husband, Roger; three sons, Mark and wife Jamie of Albuquerque, NM, Gary of Kingsland, TX, and Scott of Mineral Wells, TX; 9 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; 13 nieces and nephews; and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews. She is also survived by two brothers and sisters-in-law, Ted and Beverley Starnes of Abilene, and Mac and Arlene Starnes of Sugar Land, TX. The family has asked that memorials be made to Hendrick Hospice Care, 1682 Hickory St., Abilene, TX 79601; West Texas Rehabilitation Center, 4601 Hartford, Abilene, TX 79605; Christian Service Center, 901 Mesquite St., Abilene, TX 79601; or the donor's favorite charity.