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Diana Lee Smith, age 74, passed away on December 31, 2025. She was born on September 25, 1951, in Columbus, Indiana. Diana was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and aunt whose life was defined by love for her family, deep creativity, and a gentle, compassionate spirit. She is remembered by her grandchildren, her husband, and her daughter.
Diana Lee Smith was born into a family rooted in strength and resilience. She was the daughter of Allene Fry and Robert John Fry and carried her love for family and faith throughout her life.
Diana married George T. Smith in 1970 after dating through high school for three years, sharing a bond formed in their youth. Family was always at the center of Diana’s life, and she carried both joy and loss with grace throughout the years.
Diana had a remarkable creative spirit. She loved ceramics, painting, and crafting, often expressing herself through art and handmade creations. She found joy in duck races, collecting dolls, and had a deep and lifelong love for bears, a symbol that reflected her warmth, protectiveness, and gentle heart. Those who knew Diana remember her as thoughtful, imaginative, and quietly strong.
Her faith was important to her, and her favorite Bible verse was Jeremiah 33:3:
“Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”
Diana is survived by her husband, George T. Smith and their daughter, Amy (Smith) Barela, born in 1975, and her husband, Je’anPaul Barela.
She is lovingly remembered by her grandchildren, Elise Barela Covarrubias, born in 1991, married to Luis Matt Covarrubias, and their son Ashton Mateo Covarrubias, born August 2023; Tryston Lee Ann Barela, born August 1997, and her son Alexander Lee Sherman, born November 2022.
Diana cherished her role as a grandmother and great grandmother and found immense joy in watching her family grow.
She is also survived by her sister, Sharon (Fry) Proctor, born January 1947; her nephew, Chadd Proctor, married to Donna (Hackett) Proctor; and their sons Cody Proctor, born 1990, and twins Tyler Proctor and Dustin Proctor, born 1994.
Diana was preceded in death by her first child, Critt Price Smith, who was born and passed away on August 3, 1971.
She was also preceded in death by her parents, Allene Fry, born April 1924 in Kentucky, passed March 1998 in Alamogordo; Robert John Fry, born March 1926 in Indianapolis, passed February 1962 in Alamogordo.
She was preceded in death by her brother, Robert Duane Fry, born November 1945 and passed away in 1950.
A Celebration of Life honoring Diana Lee Smith will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 10:00 am at New Heart Cowboy Church, 1311 Galway Drive, Alamogordo, New Mexico, 88310.
Family and friends are invited to gather and celebrate Diana’s life, faith, creativity, and love.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations be made in Diana’s honor to “Feed the Bear” at the Alameda Park Zoo, reflecting her lifelong love for bears.
Requested donation items include bear chow, mixed vegetables, mixed fruit, mixed berries, mixed greens, fish, meat, or nuts. Arrangements have been made for donated food items to be picked up and delivered directly from the church following the service, or donations may be made directly to the Alameda Park Zoo in Diana’s name.
Diana Lee Smith will be remembered for her creative soul, generosity, enduring faith, and unwavering devotion to her family. Her memory will live on through her husband, daughter, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and all who were blessed to know and love her.
