Virginia Smith went home to be with the Lord on Holy Thursday, April 6, 2023. She was born at home in George West, on February 27, 1939, as the fifth child to Henry and Macie Jones. She grew up following her closest big brother through many adventures. She shared stories of going to the movies on school nights, riding their horses, roping and rodeoing. In high school, Virginia was a majorette and related that she horrified her father when she and the other majorettes learned to twirl flaming batons and removed their skirts, to avoid a fire hazard, on the football sideline.

When Virginia was participating in rodeos and roping there were no roping events for girls. She fondly remembered loading a convertible with girlfriends, driving to the principal's home and begging him to let them rope. He was persuaded, and the girls were allowed to exhibition that year, he agreed that if the girls roped well, he would add girls breakaway roping to the rodeo the next year. The next year she won the breakaway roping at that rodeo.

She moved to Alpine, Texas with her horse to study at Sul Ross State University, where she met Alan Matthews. She and Alan were married March 25, 1960, in Alpine. They started a household in the tiny married persons housing on campus in house number two. Later the couple moved to the Elsinore Ranch headquarters where Alan's parents were running the ranch. She commuted sixty miles across the ranch Alpine to attend classes. As her education progressed, Virginia transferred to Sam Houston State University in Nacogdoches. There their daughter Ann Marie was born in 1965. After graduation, the family moved to Houston, for about a year while Alan worked locally. Soon they were headed back to ranch life as Alan's grandfather needed help at the family ranch in Sabinal. Virginia taught at Sabinal Elementary School. Their son, Mark, was born in 1971.
Virginia continued her education while teaching and earned two master's degrees for special education and counseling. A long-time special education teacher in Sabinal, Uvalde and later Bandera and San Antonio, she was able to touch many at risk children's lives. The family returned to Fort Stockton in 1979, those years she was a true ranch wife, managing the household, garden and hauling supplies for the ranch. The children began showing Quarter Horses and Virginia was the driver and horseshow mom for many years.

After returning to Uvalde, Virginia spent more time in San Antonio, socializing and began attending Christ Episcopal Church where she has remained a member for many years. In 1990, she met Charles Smith, they were married in February 1992 and lived in San Antonio for many years before retiring to Kerrville. In 1991 her grandsons Roan and Creed were born, and Virginia earned her new name "Grandma" which she wore proudly. She was a constant supporter of the boys' activities and became known to their friends as Grandma.

Virginia joined Mary Kay cosmetics in 1995 and was a consultant for twenty-eight exciting years. Ever striving for the pink Cadillac, she was a director for several years and did earn several company cars. Virginia found her calling with Mary Kay helping and celebrating life with other women. She will always be remembered for her Mary Kay holiday gifts. These were happy years for Virginia and Charlie, traveling, working with Mary Kay ladies, and following the grandsons.

In 2013 Virginia began a new chapter as she moved to Jourdanton, to be closer to family. Her normal Sunday routine was to go to San Antonio for church service, lunch with friends followed by dancing at Martinez Social Club, then Sunday supper with the family. She was promoted to "Maw-maw-ice-cream" by her first great-grandson Landry. She delighted in spending time with the great-grandsons, fishing, playing, giving them ice cream and then wondering why they did not eat dinner.

Grandma is loved and remembered by her family, many friends and neighbors. She is survived by her children, Ann Matthews and husband Bobby Hindes, and Mark Matthews. Grandsons, Roan West and wife Lacy, and Creed West. Great-grandsons, Landry, Grady and Peeler West. Clint Hindes and wife Christy and bonus great-grandchildren. Cort and Cali Hindes.

Virginia is preceded in death by her husband, Charlie Smith; parents, Henry and Macie Jones, siblings, Elmo Jones and Evelyn Joyce, nieces, Kay Jones and Sky Lewey, and nephew, Brother Joyce.

An inurnment is scheduled for Tuesday, April 16, 2023, at the Christ Episcopal Church, located at 510 Belknap Place, San Antonio, Texas 78212, starting at 11:00 am.  Services will conclude at that time.