Rebecca Anne (Cornelius) Smith

Becki Smith passed away from complications associated with a brain tumor on May 4, 2021 in Hays County, Texas. She was buried at Windham Cemetery, Lake Brownwood, Texas on May 6.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service is set for Saturday, June 5, 10 a.m. at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Wimberley, Texas. For those unable to attend in person, the service will be streamed live. Please go to www.ststeve.org for log-on instructions.

Becki was an artist who focused on assemblages, collages and paintings rooted in symbolism from her life experiences and her often visceral reactions to the world around her. She exhibited her work at various venues in Texas, Oregon, South Carolina, Ohio, Colorado, New Mexico, Louisiana, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and New York.

Becki was born in El Paso, Texas to Archie and Joanna Cornelius on March 12, 1955. She was the oldest of four siblings. Their family lived in multiple locations until they settled in Bartlesville, Oklahoma where they resided until moving to Odessa, Texas during Becki’s senior year in high school. She graduated from Permian High School in 1973. After giving birth to four children, Becki earned bachelor’s degrees from University of Texas Permian Basin in psychology in 1987, and fine arts in 1992.

Becki worked as a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service in Odessa while raising two young boys,

Becki worked as a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service in Odessa while raising two young boys, and continuing through the end of her third pregnancy.

Survivors include Jon Michael Smith, her husband of 37 years, adult children Jacob Rolls, Andrew Rolls, Mackenzie Smith Kelley and Michaele Smith King. She is also survived by three grandchildren: Bryson Rolls, Chloe Rolls and Maya Kelley, as well as her younger siblings Cheryl Jones and Joseph Cornelius. Becki is preceded in death by her parents, and a younger brother, Ronald.

While living in Odessa, Becki was active at First United Methodist Church, The Ellen Noël Art Museum, La Leche League and Al-Anon.

In 2013, Becki and Jon relocated to Driftwood in the Texas Hill Country, where she continued to make and exhibit her work. She enjoyed her time and community at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Hill Country Herb Society, Al-Anon, and Austin Paleontology Society, as well as her La Ventana neighbors.

As an activist for victims of family violence, Becki lived with intention, intensity, and integrity. She loved her garden, her family, and her dogs. And, she frequently proclaimed, “I love my life.”

In lieu of flowers, Becki’s family suggests memorials be directed to The Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center, a local non-profit that offers services to women, men and children who are victims of family violence. Please visit https://www.hcwc.org/donate/ for more information to make a gift in Becki’s name.