Vesta Lee Smartt

Funeral services for Vesta Lee Smartt, 84, of Grand Prairie, are scheduled for 2:00 PM on Saturday, January 19, 2019 at First Baptist Church of Grand Prairie with Dr. Bill Skaar officiating.  Interment will follow at Southland Memorial Park.  The family will receive friends from 1:00 to 2:00 PM prior to the funeral service.

Mrs. Smartt passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 8, 2019 in Arlington.

Vesta was born January 19, 1934 in Possum Trot (near Greenville), Hunt County, Texas, the second of three children, to Lee and Buna Vista (Glasscock) Arey.  She grew up in the county church, where her father led the singing.  There Vesta learned to play the piano and developed her alto singing voice.  Though she could not swim, she enjoyed water skiing on Saturdays at Lake Lavon, careful to not get her hair wet so that it was styled and ready for church the following day.

Following high school graduation, Vesta enrolled at East Texas State Teacher’s College, where she graduated in 1956.  She moved to Grand Prairie in 1957 to accept a position as an elementary school teacher.  This brief foray into education ended later that year when Vesta married Kenneth Dair Smartt Sr. on December 29, 1957 following a few months of courtship.  It was then her adventure of mother, chef, seamstress, advisor, transportation service, and repair woman began.  Vesta was responsible for her children’s exemplary attendance and performance in school, church, and extracurricular activities.

Perhaps Mrs. Smartt’s most impactful mark she left on this world was the Christian example she set for her children, grandchildren, and friends.  A 61-year member of First Baptist Church of Grand Prairie, she faithfully attended Sunday morning, evening, and Wednesday evening services as long as her heath would allow.  Mrs. Smartt was a member of the WMU and volunteered in various church activities and programs.  She devotedly read her Bible on a daily basis and prayer was a priority.  Many family and friends were led to a relationship with their God as a result of Mrs. Smartt’s model.  She many times commented that she was ready for Heaven now that all of her grandchildren had accepted Christ.

MeMaw, as she was affectionately known, will be remembered fondly for her nurturing care, syrup toast and soft scrambled eggs, sewing jobs, household maintenance repairs, and unbridled use of Vaseline and household chemicals.  Her repairmen knew to respond promptly, or else they would arrive to find a heap of tools and disassembled appliances.  MeMaw fed and cared for her entire neighborhood, and could often be found (late into her 70’s) on top of a ladder, mowing her lawn, or brandishing a can of paint thinner.

Vesta Lee Smartt, a strong and faithful soul, who withstood tragedy and hardship, only to stand taller at the end for those that depended on her, will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered.

Survivors include: daughter Tami Ratterree and husband Mark of Rendon; daughter Valri Smartt of Hawkins; son Kenneth Dair Smart Jr. and wife Elizabeth of Laredo; daughter Mitzi Colbert of Grand Prairie; ten grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; brother Bobby Arey and wife Mary of Garland; sister-in-law Jane Arey Wait of Mesquite; aunt Willie Terry of Spring; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews whom she loved one and all.

Mrs. Smartt was preceded in death by: her parents, Lee and Buna Arey; husband Kenneth Dair Smart Sr.; and brother Burt Arey.

Mrs. Smartt’s grandsons will be serving as pallbearers.

Memorial contributions may be made in the memory of Vesta Smartt to First Baptist Church of Grand Prairie.