Yvonne Smiley, a beloved leader at her church and a cherished member of her community,

passed away peacefully on November 15, 2025, in Port Arthur, Texas, just days shy of her 97th

birthday. Born on November 23, 1928, in Ebenezer, Louisiana, Yvonne's warm spirit and

enduring commitment to her faith enriched the lives of all who knew her.

Yvonne was a proud graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School and a dedicated member of

Bethel Temple Church of Port Arthur for over 45 years. She joyfully served as a song leader and

Sunday school teacher for many of those years. Her love for music was matched only by her

passion for cooking, both activities bringing people together in vibrant expressions of

community and fellowship. She was also actively involved with the church's youth group, where

her nurturing nature guided and inspired countless young lives.

A fiercely independent woman, Yvonne embodied strength and resilience throughout her life.

She endured the heartache of losing her beloved husband, Charles W. Smiley, and her daughter,

Sharon (Smiley) Waters, as well as her sisters, Edith Prince, Audrey Ferguson, and Christine

Robinson. Each of these losses shaped her, yet she continued to face life with unwavering grace

and poise.

Yvonne leaves behind a legacy of love in the hearts of her family. She is survived by her

grandchildren, Robbie Robichau and her husband, Jason, and Paula Waters, along with her great -

grandchildren, Alex Stockman, Kade Robichau, and Adelyn Robichau. She also leaves behind

countless nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly. Yvonne's love and wisdom will

undoubtedly continue to resonate through them, as she shared with them the values of kindness,

faith, and the importance of family.

There will be a visitation on Monday, November 24, 2025, at Clayton Thompson Funeral Home

in Groves, Texas, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM, followed by a funeral service starting at 2:00 PM.

She will be laid to rest at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Groves, Texas. The world is a little

dimmer without Yvonne’s light, but we take comfort in knowing that her spirit lives on in the

melodies of the songs she led and in the hearts she touched.