Leona Hohenberger Smylie was born in her childhood home in Blanco, Texas on September 17, 1925 and went to be with our Lord and Savior on January 5, 2020.  She was raised in Blanco where she helped on the farm and rode her horse to school. As a young child she took piano lessons. In exchange for these lessons their milk cow was loaned to the piano teacher.  Music was always a very important part of Leona's life.  While at school in Blanco, she met the love of her life, Thomas David (T.D.) Smylie, Jr.  After their marriage, they lived briefly in Hollister, California and Chicago, Illinois before settling in San Antonio, Texas.  After T.D.'s retirement, they moved back to Blanco where this wonderful and special marriage lasted three months shy of 70 years (T.D. passed away on June 25, 2012).

Leona was very active in both the St. Mark's United Methodist Church in San Antonio and the Blanco United Methodist Church; she participated in the choir, hand-bells ensemble and many other activities.  She played the accordion throughout her life and was a member of the Blanco Community Orchestra. Gardening, sewing and knitting were among her other hobbies and she was a master at making fresh peach preserves.  In addition, she and T.D. enjoyed travelling with their very special friends, E.C. and Ann Gaertner, which included many fishing trips to the Texas Gulf Coast and various vacation trips throughout the United States.

Leona was preceded in death by her parents, Helmuth and Emma Hohenberger, of Blanco, Texas; her husband, Thomas David (T.D.), Jr.; siblings:  Monroe Hohenberger, Anita Hohenberger Bowen, Werner Hohenberger and Alton Hohenberger.  She is survived by her children:  David Smylie (Donna) of Owasso, Oklahoma and Pat Smylie Witta (Fred) of San Antonio, Texas; her grandchildren:  Chuck Witta (Christina) of Fort Worth, Texas, Becky Witta Flummer (Jon) of San Antonio, Texas and Kristi Smylie Sherwood (Kent) of Tulsa, Oklahoma; her great grandchildren:  Bethany Flummer, Zac Flummer, Jackson Flummer (all three of San Antonio), Sage Witta and Isaac Witta (both of Fort Worth).  Additionally, she is survived by her sister-in-law, Mary Hohenberger, along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A celebration of her life will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, January 18 ^th at Blanco United Methodist Church with Pastor Carlos Cloyd and Chuck Witta officiating.  Visitation will begin at 9:00 AM at the church. Interment will follow at Blanco Cemetery.  We will return to the church for a reception.

If desired, memorials may be given to Blanco United Methodist Church Education Fund.