Avis Smith

Avis Smith, a devoted homemaker and cherished family matriarch, passed away peacefully on March 22, 2026, in Dumas, Texas. Born on August 23, 1926, in Childress, Texas, Avis lived a life marked by love, dedication, and the warmth of home.

A graduate of Quanah High School, Avis married her beloved husband Wayne in 1943 in Altus, Oklahoma. Through their years together, she embraced the roles of wife, mother, and grandmother with extraordinary devotion and grace. Avis was known far and wide as an excellent homemaker who found joy in cooking and nurturing her family with care and kindness.

Her love for music was evident in the many moments she spent playing the piano, filling her home with melodies that reflected her tender spirit. Family was at the heart of Avis’s life, and she treasured her time spent with her children and grandchildren.  She was also a longtime member of First Baptist Church.

Avis is survived by her son, David Smith, and daughter-in-law, Ginger Smith. She also leaves behind her granddaughter, Kayla Bassen, and Kayla’s husband, Jake, who carried forward the legacy of love and warmth that Avis so deeply embodied. Their lives will forever bear the imprint of her gentle spirit and steadfast love.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne Smith; her son, Michael Smith; her parents, Ben and Ollie Vaughan; and her brother, James Ray Vaughan. The family takes comfort in the enduring memories of Avis’s kindness and the enduring bonds she created.

A graveside service to honor Avis’s life will be held on Monday, March 30, 2026, at 10 o'clock in the morning at Dumas Cemetery, with Darrell Burton officiating. Those who attend will gather to remember a woman whose life enriched all who knew her.

Avis Smith’s legacy is one of love, home, and family — a testament to a life well-lived and deeply cherished. Her memory will continue to inspire and comfort all who were lucky enough to know her.