Frances “Darlene” Brubaker Johnson Smith, 84, of Blanket, Texas, peacefully passed into the arms of her loving Savior on August 18, 2024, after a short illness at Hendrick Medical Center, Brownwood, surrounded by her loving family.
Family will receive friends from 6 to 8 PM on Thursday, August 22 at Heartland Funeral Home in Early. Funeral services for Darlene will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, August 23, in the Heartland Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Rock Church Cemetery in Blanket.
Born April 10, 1940, in Brownwood, Texas, she married Jeffie V. Johnson October 12, 1957, then moved to Fort Worth to complete and graduate from Fort Worth Polytechnic High School. Darlene earned her court reporting certification from the Abilene court reporting school enabling her to create a lifelong career in the legal profession.
To her first union of 26 years, she was blessed with a son Jeff. She then met the love of her life, Don Smith, via a blind date. They married August 29,1992 and she gained the blessing of his sons Kendal, Devron, and Jaylan and his daughter RaVelle. They remained married for 32 wonderful years until the time of her passing.
She is survived by her husband Oran “Don” Smith; their children Jeff (Heather) Johnson, Kendal Smith (Berva), Devron (Cheryl) Smith, Jaylan (Andrea) Smith, & RaVelle (Randy) Gross. Their grandchildren; Brandi Thompson (Shannon Cates), Vicki (Bart) Long, Patrick Johnson, Brianna (Jose) Torrez, Clayton (Caitlin) Smith, Taylor Johnson, Brooke Gross, Calli Smith, Declan Smith, Brittney Gross, Brayden Gross. Her great grandchildren; Nataley Thompson, Evan Cates, Cody Cates, Taryn Cates, Rainey Childs, Roper Childs, Destiny Long, Karly Long, Ava-Joy Smith, Addy Smith, Caisey Smith, Isla Torrez, Ellie Torrez. Sister-in Laws; Gwen Brubaker, Artie Hammond, and Joyce Jones.
She was proceeded in death by her parents, Herman Raymond Brubaker and Nina Mae (nee’ Hardin) Brubaker. Her brothers; Herman “Rayford” Brubaker & Randal Philip Brubaker Her Sisters; Wanda Bryan, Peggy (Billy) Chism.
Darlene was known for her love of traveling and seeing the world with Don. Many of those excursions being to Belize on mission trips. The love of her family and making sure that those around her were taken care of made her happy. She was an active member of 4th and Stewart Church of Christ and also mentored students abroad via World Bible students. Her greatest desire was to see those she loved to come to love the Lord Jesus and to watch them grow in God’s word and understanding.
In lieu of flowers please make memorials to the Manna Project https://mannafarm.org (Natalia Church of Christ, PO Box 209, Natalia TX 78059 or organization/foundation of your choice.
