Deanna Kay Smith (née Doss), 70, passed away peacefully at her Reno, NV home surrounded by family on January 28, 2022.
Deanna was born June 26, 1951 in Huntsville, Arkansas, the second daughter of George and Christina Doss (née Worley) of Berryville, AR.
Deanna was a high school cheerleader and upon graduating, she married her high school sweetheart, Frank, in 1969.
After five years of marriage they welcomed their eldest daughter followed by two more kids.
After years of living in several different places throughout the country, Deanna and family settled in Winnemucca, NV in 1983, where they would remain until the early 2000s.
The family relocated to the Reno/Carson area to be nearer to the grandchildren. “Grammy” cherished her four grandchildren and never missed an opportunity to bake cookies with them.
Deanna traveled all over the country and fostered that sense of wonder in her children.
She owned a travel agency that helped countless people explore the world and get to where they needed to be.
She had many careers including computer instructor, substitute teacher, and Fabrics and Crafts Manager for Walmart.
She attended university for Social Work and Education. Deanna was supremely funny, and her infectious laugh brought joy to all in earshot.
She was involved in several Masonic organizations, including Eastern Star. Deanna was playful, hilarious, and audacious.
In her adventures as Mother Advisor for the local chapter of International Order of the Rainbow for Girls, she encouraged many hair-brained antics with the young women she was stewarding.
She left lasting impressions of kindness, comfort, acceptance, and the importance of fun on all of them.
Deanna was a devout, lifelong Christian, who never turned away anyone needing help.
She spent her life being a force of love in the lives of so many.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Christina Mae Doss (née Worley) and George Harvey Doss, and brother-in-law, Ed Ward of Gainsville, FL, sister-in-law, Brenda Hesson and niece Annette Hesson both of Darien, IL.
Many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends as well.
All of whom will greet her enthusiastically in heaven.
She is survived by her husband of 52 years, William Franklin Smith of Reno, NV, her three children: Daughters, Lori Smith-Kaminsky (Nick) of Grainger, IN, and Shavawn Smith of Fayetteville, AR, and her son, Matt Smith (Nicolette) of Reno, NV, grand children: Sam, Isabella, Avery, and Abby, her stepmother, Pearl Doss of Regina, Canada, her sisters: Dianna Matzeder (Don) of Berryville, AR, Debbie Harris (Doug) of Conway, AR, and Denise Hutchinson (Gary) of Berryville, AR. Brother-in-laws Eddie Smith (Judy) of Prairie Grove, AR and Don Hesson of Darien, IL, Sister-in-laws, Marilyn Depona (Peter) of Hot Springs, AR, Peggy Ward of Gainsville, FL, and Betty Fitch (Nevada) of Hindsville, AR, and several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
A memorial service was held at Reno Christian Fellowship on February 2, 2022.
A celebration of life will take place in Berryville, AR at Grandview Baptist Church on February 12, 2022 at 10am local time.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the National Kidney Foundation (kidney.org), Gideons International (https://www.gideons.org/), or planting a tree in her memory with the Arbor Day Foundation (https://shop.arborday.org/commemorative).
