Wilma Jean Garza's Obituary
Wilma Jean Smith Garza, 81, of Garland, TX, passed away Friday, March 6, 2020. She was born on August 16, 1938, in Marmaduke, AR. She was a 1956 graduate of Oak Grove High School in Paragould, AR, and attended Draughons Business College in Memphis, TN, where she lived and worked for many years before permanently residing in Garland, TX. During her earlier years of employment, she worked primarily as a secretary and bookkeeper, but her interest in sales led her to work as a real estate agent, and later as owner of a children’s merchandise store before retiring.
Jean was a Christian by faith. She was an excellent seamstress, an avid reader, and appreciated many genres of music. She adored her pet dogs and cats, and had a passion for gardening and nature. She enjoyed many years of hosting gatherings at the family vacation home in Hot Springs, AR. She had a warm sense of humor, and treasured the time spent with her cherished grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her son, Gregory V. Hughey, her first husband, Van C. Hughey, her parents, John M. Smith and Edith R. Melton Smith, and sisters, Wandle Smith West and Dorothy Smith Kappelman.
She is survived by her husband of 37 years, Conrad S. Garza, of Garland, TX; her daughters, Cynthia Hughey Lawrence, of Memphis, TN, and Kimberly Hughey Boyd (Jerry), of N. Richland Hills, TX; her son, Robert “Beau” W. Hughey (Rosanna), of Dallas, TX; her dearly loved grandchildren, Elisha L. Hughey, of Mobile, AL, Anthony “Tony” L. Hughey of Memphis, TN, Kelsey R. Lawrence, of Memphis, TN, Matthew C. Boyd, of Ft. Worth, TX, Laura E. Hughey Hopkins (Amanda), of Dallas, TX, Eve E. Hughey, of Dallas, TX, and Joseph A. Hughey of Dallas, TX. She also leaves a sister, Velma Smith Hendrix of Marmaduke, AR; brothers, Hollis Smith, of Greenville, SC, and Doyle Smith, of Terre Haute, IN, along with other extended family, including two stepdaughters, Tammy Garza Thompson and Marie Garza, and a stepgrandson, Ryan Thompson, also of the Dallas area.
A graveside memorial service with interment of ashes will be held at a later date at Restland Cemetery in Dallas. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that charitable donations be made to the American Heart Association or charity of the donor’s choice.
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