Thursday, September 26, 2024
Rilla Yvonne Smith, age 87, of Gatesville, passed away Sept. 9, 2024, in Waco. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, Sept. 21 at 10 a.m. at the Gatesville Church of Christ.
Rilla Yvonne Smith was born to Buster and Oleta Mullin on Friday, Nov. 20, 1936, in an old farmhouse in Parnell. Her father (Buster) was a farmer, car salesman, barterer/haggler deluxe… and preacher.
She graduated from Ballinger High School in 1954 and married Delbert Lee Smith in the same year. Yvonne followed Delbert as he went into the Air Force and, later, into ministry, serving many congregations over the years. After raising 4 mostly wonderful children and making a wonderful family home, she worked and volunteered in Gatesville schools. After Delbert died in 2002, she became involved in teaching women’s Bible studies at one of the Gatesville women’s prisons, at her church, and at The Oaks (a retirement village). She also hosted Bible studies in her neighborhoods over the years. She loved her family well, loved her Lord Jesus most of all, and also the people around her. She was a mighty woman of prayer, of Scripture, and had a steady faith.
She is preceded in death by her parents: Buster and Oleta, and her husband, Delbert Smith.
She is survived by her sister, Sandy Lane, as well as her four children: Ken and Christina Smith, Mitzi Smith, Tad and Sherry Smith, and Robin and Karen Smith … and by her beloved 14 grandchildren: Micah, Christopher, Joy, Judah, Cora Beth, Eliot, Evan, Grace, Amos, John-Philip, Gabriel, Lincoln, Libby, and Oaks Smith, as well as her 13 great-grandchildren.
To God be the glory!
