Valery Smith

Valery Schniederjan Smith, 65, of Gainesville, passed away September 1, 2021 in Bolivar, TX.

Valery was born December 13, 1955 in Gainesville, TX and was raised on her family’s dairy farm south of town.  After graduating Gainesville High School, Ms. Smith spent two years traveling Europe, based primarily around Naples, Italy.  Upon returning to Gainesville, she married and began raising a family.  Ms. Smith enrolled in Texas Woman’s University and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts Degree.  She was an art teacher at Denton High School for 26 years until her recent retirement.

Ms. Smith lost her father at the age of ten, which forged her into a resilient woman.  She was wise, artistic, and resourceful.  She was a skilled painter, sculptor, and gardener.  Ms. Smith sang in the choir at St. Mary’s Catholic Church and served as Director of their Fall Festival Dinner for many years.  Her greatest joy was spending time with her beloved grandchildren and sharing with them her love of the Arts.  She touched innumerable lives and will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

Survivors include: son, Aaron Smith and wife, Sydne of Gainesville; son, Andrew Smith of Gainesville; son, Benjamin Smith and fiancé, Chelsea Sproles of Bolivar; grandchildren: Izzie, Teddy, Lilian, and Charlie; the father of her children, Gordon B. Smith of Gainesville; mother, Victoria Self of Gainesville; brother, Patrick Schniederjan and wife, Karen of Grand Junction, CO; sister, Carolyn Rekerdres and husband, Ted of Dallas; brother, Robert Schniederjan and wife, Jay of Oklahoma City, OK; sister, Cindy Grosch and husband, Jon of San Marcos; sister, Helen Allison and husband, Charlie of Richardson; brother, Adam Schniederjan and wife, Reneé of Muenster; brother, Phil Schniederjan and wife, Tanya of Trophy Club; brother, John Schniederjan and wife, Caryn of Plano; and sister, Clair Holland and husband, David of Racine, WI.

Ms. Smith was preceded in death by: father, Ted Schniederjan; brother, Mike Schniederjan; and step-father, Elmo Self.

A Rosary will be recited at 6:00 P.M. on Tuesday, September 7, 2021, at Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home, with the family receiving friends afterward.  A Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, September 8, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, with Rev. John Pacheco officiating.  Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary’s School.