Vivian Fayerene (Keeler) Smith

SANTA FE – Vivian Fayerene (Keeler) Smith born October 9, 1946, passed from this life November 7, 2024, at the age of 78; after her third battle with cancer. Fayerene was born in Fort Worth, Texas. The Keelers moved Fayerene and her siblings to Goliad, where they lived until 1960. The family moved to Hitchcock where Fayerene attended Hitchcock High School, graduating in 1965. In June of 1966, she married her high school sweetheart, Gary Smith. In 1971, they adopted their son, Gary Kyle. Six years later, they welcomed another adopted child into their family, Belinda Kay. Finally, in the mid-1980s, they adopted a third child, Randi LaShelle. In 2003, their grandson, Colton Wayne Eaton, was born. In 2022, they welcomed grandsons, Niko and Little Richard, into the family.

Fayerene accepted Christ at an early age. She was a member of Santa Fe Baptist Church beginning in the mid-1980s, where she was the church clerk for several years. Five years ago, she and Gary moved their membership to Calvary Crossroads Church.

Fayerene’s first job was in Galveston at American National. Later, she worked for Mainland Savings and Loan, Bank of Santa Fe, Texas First Bank, Santa Fe Auto Parts, Chocolate Bayou Federal Credit Union and Brazos Community Credit Union.

She loved to travel, garden, and attended extracurricular activities with her children and grandson.

Fayerene is preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Inez Keeler; brothers, Irvin Keeler, Paul Keeler, Johnny Keeler, Phillip Houlton and Elmer Ray Keeler; sisters, Jeanice Bias and Deborah Arocha and numerous nieces and nephews. Fayerene is survived by her husband of 58 years, Gary Wayne Smith of Santa Fe; sister, Beverly Harris of Santa Fe; son, Gary Kyle Smith and partner, David Palmer of Houston, Texas; daughter, Belinda Garcia and husband, Richard Garcia II of Texas City, Texas, daughter Randi Eaton and husband, Brent Hoff of Santa Fe, Texas; grandson, Colton Eaton and step-grandsons, Richard Garcia III and Niko Garcia.

A Celebration of Life will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, November 21, 2024. At Calvary Crossroads Church at 3810 FM 646 Rd N Santa Fe, TX 77510.

A special thanks to Hayes Funeral Home for helping set up such a beautiful celebration of life.

Our family would also like to extend a special thank you to Stellar Hospice in Dickinson, Texas, who provided both physical and emotional support to the family and to Fayerene, as she transitioned comfortably from this life to her forever home.

In Lieu of flowers, donations will be accepted for Calvary Crossroads Church.

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