Shawn SMITH

1941 - 2015

SMITH, Shawn
Shawn Adele Carpenter Nelson Smith, devoted wife, mother and grandmother passed away February 18, 2015 in Austin, Texas. Born February 4, 1941 in Corpus Christi, Texas, she was the only child of Marjorie Stevens Carpenter Giles and Shawnee Turley "Buck" Carpenter. After graduating from W.B. Ray High School in Corpus Christi, she graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a BFA degree and was lucky to have been a student of well-known sculptor Charles Umlauf. During those special days at Texas, she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority and enjoyed festivities in Corpus Christi, Buccaneer Days as a duchess and a debutante. After graduating, she earned her Teacher's Certificate from Trinity University in San Antonio.

In 1964, Shawn and Charles Schreiner Nelson were married and reared their much loved children in San Antonio. During her 33 years in San Antonio, she was a member of Christ Episcopal Church, The Junior League, Southwest Foundation Forum, Kappa Alpha Theta Alumnae, The Green Hand Garden Club, The Argyle and the San Antonio Country Club. She was an avid tennis player and always treasured the fun and many friendships made through tennis and snow skiing. Shawn and Schreiner (deceased) were divorced after 25 years of marriage.

In the spring of 1996, Ford Smith and Shawn were married. A Houston native, Ford made Austin his home after attending The University of Texas. Ford and Shawn have been very happy and fortunate melding family, old friends and new. They have traveled extensively, but are happiest bird hunting in South Texas, snow skiing in Aspen and Deer Valley with friends, and spending time on the Guadalupe River in Hunt, Texas. We are so very grateful for the love and many blessings we have shared. Shawn thanks her husband Ford for his unflagging love, encouragement and devotion.

The Smiths are members of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, The University of Texas Chancellor's Council, Austin Country Club, Tarry House, Headliner's Club, The Argyle Club and the San Antonio Country Club.

Shawn is preceded in death by her parents, her stepfather Jack Giles, M.D., cousins Jon Ogg of New Orleans, and Mary Sue Farenthold Wisdom of Corpus Christi.

Shawn leaves behind her husband of almost 19 years Ford Smith, son C. Schreiner Nelson, Jr., and daughter Shawnee Carpenter Nelson both of San Antonio, grandsons David Marshall Denn and Christopher Nelson Denn of Seguin. She also leaves cousins Perry LaRue Tompkins (Frank) of Georgetown and their children Elisha, Steve, and Elizabeth, and cousin George LaRue of Utopia; cousin Thomas Ogg (Arlene) of New Orleans, Godson and cousin Congressman Blake Farenthold (Debbie), Sue Farenthold of Corpus Christi; "sister" Jacklyn Giles Sunderland (Lane) of Galesburg, IL., and "brother" Jackson Giles (Anne) of Austin. Her mother Marjorie married Jack Giles, M.D., Shawn's Godfather, after the death of Shawn's father.

Shawn will be fondly remembered by Ford's children: Ford Smith, Jr. (wife Lindsay and children Kendall and William Ford), Frances Netherton (children Mary Kathryn, Bill and Walker), Allen Smith (wife Mimi and children Hallie and Elizabeth) all of Austin: Kathryn Etcheverry (husband Lance and children Cal, Elle and Lyles) of Dallas.

Shawn and Ford would like to recognize David Gershenson, M.D. and his team at M. D. Anderson's Department of Gynecologic Oncology for their wonderful care and for giving Shawn many quality years after diagnosis. They also wish to thank doctors Ellen Smith, M. D., and Jeffrey Meynig, M. D..

Ford and Shawn extend heartfelt thanks to Adriana Jara for her compassionate care and friendship these last many months. Thanks also to Maria Lovos for her help and support.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to:

David M. Gershenson, M.D., Distinguished Chair in Gynecologic Oncology for the purpose of Cancer Research, MD Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, TX 77210-4486, www.mdanderson.org/gifts, or charity of your choice.

Service is at twelve noon Saturday, February 21, 2015 at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, 3201 Windsor Road with reception following at The Tarry House, 3006 Bowman Avenue.

Obituary and memorial guestbook available online at www.wcfish.com