Stella Frances "Sissy" Smith

Stella Frances "Sissy" Smith passed away on December 8, 2025, at the age of 77, in Nacogdoches, Texas. Born on March 16, 1948, in Hemphill, Texas, she was the daughter of Dalton "Shine" Smith and Lemme B. Cousins Smith. Sissy spent her life as a dedicated homemaker, creating a loving home for her family.

Sissy was known for her loving nature and commitment to her community, often helping local families with donations of school supplies and clothes. She was devoted to all her family, and she cherished her role as a mother and grandmother, instilling values of strength, hard work, and education in her children and grandchildren and as a result, her children all became strong, hardworking, educated adults. An avid reader and gardener, Sissy took great pleasure in her flower gardens, sharing the beauty she cultivated with friends and family.

She leaves behind a loving family, including her daughters, Selina A. (Sargent) Jeanise and husband, Eddie A. Stockley, Sabrina Kay Sargent and Ed Holtsberry, and Herman Russell Sargent and wife, Lisa; grandchildren Hannah Jeanise and Dominique G. Gonzales, Emily Jeanise, Nicholas A. Stockley, Sarah Kelley and husband, Reed, Chelsea Sargent, Adam Wise and wife, Audrey, Meena Wise and Chuck Weathered, Advijah Sargent, and Abbigail Holtsberry; great-grandchildren Olivia, Chloe, Layson, Maleah, Peter, Zach, Evie, Grant, and Ajailah; brothers, Paul Smith and wife, Shirley, Phillip Smith and wife, Pauline, and Michael Shine Smith and wife, Johnette; and sisters, Tanya Walker and husband, Buckshot, and Rhiannon Smith.

Sissy was preceded in death by her parents, Shine and Lemme Smith; brothers, Jimmy Dale Smith and Ricky Smith; sisters, Shirley Williams and Dorothy McLemore; and grandson, Tristan Matthew Bailey.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at Starr Funeral Home Chapel, 510 Starr St., Hemphill, Texas, with Bro. Floyd Wright officiating.

Burial will follow in Hemphill Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Randy Williams, Josh Smith, Reed Kelley, Chad Sargent, Ed Holtsberry, and Adam Wise.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the East Sabine Nutrician Center, P. O. Box 232, Hemphill, Texas 75948.

Arrangements were handled by Starr Funeral Home. Memories and condolences may be shared at starrfuneralhome.com.