Friday, April 19, 2024
Jeanel Russell Smith
July 28, 1940 – March 9, 2022
Jeanel Russell Smith died on March 9, 2022, from pancreatic cancer at the age of 81.
Jeanel was from the pioneer Russell family who came to Weslaco in 1922. She was born in Weslaco July 28, 1940, to Reeves and Margaret Russell. Jeanel graduated from Weslaco High School in 1958. She taught in Weslaco High School in the 1960s and was one of the first elementary school counselors in the district. She continued her counseling and administrative career in Edinburg CISD where she was the first female school administrator at the secondary level. Jeanel earned her doctorate with honors at Texas Tech University. She finished her career as an elementary school principal in Edinburg at Sam Houston Elementary, The Gifted and Talented program and Canton Elementary. She had a heart for helping disadvantaged and underserved students.
Jeanel was married to Dr. George W. Smith for 49 years. They were parents to three children, Julie Smith, Shannon Drawe (Leslie) and Amy Pontius (Ben). They had four grandchildren, Kimberly Lee, Kate, Luke, and Levi Pontius. Jeanel and George retired to Bastrop, Texas in 1995 where George continued as a professor at St. Edwards University.
In her retirement, she enjoyed volunteering with her church food pantry, Texas Disaster relief and mission trips. Her hobby was quilting, and she donated many quilts and bags to charities for children and made many special occasion quilts for family members.
George and Jeanel also liked to travel and made trips to Europe, Hawaii and Alaska, as well as genealogy searches in the United States. They moved to The Woodlands in 2008 to be close to their grandchildren. Jeanel celebrated her life and marriage of nearly 50 years with her family at Crystal Beach in February.
Her ashes will be spread by her family on a future date. For those who wish to do so, memorial donations may be made to Rivers of Mercy Children’s Home in Juarez, Mexico, World Vision Fund, or a charity of your choice.
