Shawna Shay Smith

1990 - 2024: Shawna Shay Smith, 33, of Liberty Hill, Texas,, passed away in Round Rock, Texas, on May 11.

Born July 5, 1990, in Austin, Texas. The daughter of Gene and Karen Smith, she was welcomed by two older sisters and was quickly followed by a younger brother and sister. She was funny, generous, artistic, kind, honest, and lively. From an early age, and much to her brother’s dismay, if their parents wanted to know what really happened when mischief arose, they could ask Shawna, as she would be honest even if it was partly her doing. She had a love for the outdoors and could often be found near the lake or a pool. Shawna adored her aunt Barbara and would often recreate her beloved recipes.

Shawna was the caring and dedicated mother of two sons, or ‘the boys’ as everyone calls them, who she loved fiercely and with all her heart. She loved making unique memories with her children, such as having a nighttime glow in the dark Easter egg hunt. Confronted with the reality of her circumstances, she made the painful and selfless decision to entrust her boys to her brother and his husband where she knew they would be safe, loved, and join a family unit of three additional siblings. As an added bonus, she knew that they would receive lifelong support from their ‘Aunt Leah.’

Shawna and her younger brother Caleb had an exceptionally close bond, frequently being called ‘Thing 1 & Thing 2’ as you rarely saw one without the other. They shared a love of sarcasm, using mildly inappropriate humor when faced with challenges, and a strong devotion to those they love. This bond never faded, lasting even to her last day.

Shawna is survived by her sons Andrew and Ashton Pfund-Smith, her younger brother Caleb and husband Joseph Pfund-Smith, her mother Karen Smith, her father Gene Smith, older sisters Ginny Hamilton and Amber Adair, younger sister Andi Smith, sister-in-law Leah Smith, and several nieces and nephews who adored their ‘Aunt Naynay.’

Shawna’s family will be celebrating her life privately. If you wish to honor Shawna’s life, the family asks that in lieu of flowers, a donation is made in Shawna’s memory to SAFE Austin (www.safeaustin.org) or another non-profit that supports survivors of domestic violence.