Christa Smith Obituary

Christa Elisabeth Smith passed away on July 16th, 2025. She and her twin sister, Gerda, were born on November 28th, 1932 in Vietz, Brandenburg, Germany to Anna Elisabeth and Adalbert Kunkel. She had two other sisters, Ilse, who was older and Marlene, who was younger. She met her future husband, Donald Smith, in Augsburg, Germany while a civilian employee for the U.S. Army. They married in 1958. After Don was discharged, they moved to Plainview, TX to attend Wayland Baptist College. While at Wayland they had three children, Caren in 1959, Daniel in 1961 and Derek in 1964. After graduating from Wayland, Christa went to Texas Tech in Lubbock, earning Masters in both German and World Literature. She returned to Wayland in '69-'70 to teach World Literature, German and eventually French. Christa taught full time for 43 years officially retiring in 2012. She continued to assist by filling in where needed. No one will ever know the full impact of such a life well-lived. Every second of every day she devoted to others no matter, family, friend or acquaintance. Christa was a loyal member of the Soroptimist International of Plainview where she was instrumental in establishing the "Happy Feet" Program. Christa is known for handing out mints, folding paper boats, her elephant collection, and putting real candles on a live real Christmas tree.

She is survived by her children, Caren, Daniel and wife Nancy, and Derek and his wife Brenda, her grandchildren, Bailee and partner Sito, Saige and partner AJ, and Kade. There are two great grandchildren, Wyatt and Isabella. There are also many beloved nieces and nephews from California to Oklahoma to England and Germany.

In lieu of flowers please donate to the Happy Feet program courtesy of Soroptimist of Plainview, or the Christa Kunkel Smith Endowed Scholarship at Wayland Baptist University.

Services will be Saturday, July 26th at 11:00am at the Kornerstone Funeral Directors Chapel, 3605 SW 3rd, Plainview, TX 79072. Online condolences and the memorial service live stream can be found at kornerstonefunerals.com.