Mary Tena Joshlin Smart

Mary Tena Joshlin Smart a beloved wife, devoted mother, and loving grandmother, Tena, age 86, of Hemphill, TX passed away peacefully February 5, 2026.

Born June 9, 1939 in Deweyville, TX. Tena was the daughter of the late William "Bill" Newton Joshlin and Willie Mae Sheppard. Bill and Willie Mae had ten children with Tena being the seventh born and last to pass from this life.

Tena married Charles William Richardson of Buna, TX. November 15, 1956. The next 20 years she served as a military wife and mom, while working civil service, being active in the NCO Wives Club, Teaching Sunday School, and singing in the choir. She completed LVN School and spent the next 26 years taking care of the elderly as charge nurse in nursing homes. Tena enjoyed writing poetry, sewing, Scrabble, 42 Dominoes, and Facebook.

She is survived by her daughter, Brenda Carole Richardson and her husband, Miguel A. Quinones Jr., three grandchildren, Naomi Atena Quinones Vallejo, Katrina Ester Quinones, Miguel A. Quinones 3rd and three great grandchildren, Marissa Tenaee, Mikayla Brenaee and Michael Wade Langham, Jr.

On March 12, 1985, Tena married her soulmate, Dennis King Smart of Leesville, La. She is survived by her husband, Dennis, two step-daughters, Sharon Denise Young & Tonia Annette Edwards, two adopted step-sons, James R. N. Smart & Dennis K. N. Smart, as well as many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces & nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 9, 2026 at 11:00 A.M. at Old Anacoco Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the Old Anacoco Cemetery.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, February 8, 2026 from 5:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M. at Labby Memorial Funeral Home in Leesville.