Vera Lee Smith Barnett, age 93, went to be with her Lord on February 8, 2026, in Palestine, Texas. A funeral service will be held at Walters' Buffalo Funeral Home, Buffalo, Texas, on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at 11 A.M. Pastor Alan Grisham, of First Baptist Church, Buffalo, Texas, will officiate the service. Interment will follow in Boykin Chapel Cemetery. A brief visitation will be held prior to the service from 10 A.M. to service time, also at the funeral home.

Pallbearers:  Brandon Smith, Brennan Romero, Jeffrey Smith, Aaron Patel, Lane Smith, Robbie Robinson

Vera was born July 26, 1932, in Oakwood, Texas, to Jasper Nathan Smith and Mollie Iva Irons Smith. She grew up in the ranching community of "Red Branch" near Oakwood and attended Oakwood School.

Vera met Reuben Barnett in February 1948, and they married on September 9, 1950, at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church. The couple made their home in Buffalo and celebrated seventy-two years of marriage.

Vera began a working career at Harry Burroughs Dry Goods Store on October 1, 1956. She worked eight years at the general merchandise store as a sales clerk and served as the store's inventory purchasing agent at the Dallas Market Center.

In January 1964, she began working at the Citizens State Bank in Buffalo. Her career spanned fifty-five years through seven ownerships. She was involved in the daily operations for forty-six years. Her many job titles included: file clerk, bookkeeper, teller, note department, customer relations, new accounts, and retired as Senior Vice President. Vera worked an additional ten years as bank director and loan/disbursement officer. She retired from all banking duties in January 2019.

Vera served on Buffalo School auxiliary organizations. She was a member of the Parent Teacher's Association and also served during the 1950-60's on the Drum mother's Club working for and supporting the Bison Belle Drill Team at Buffalo High School.

She was part of the Leon County Historical Society, serving as treasurer for twenty-five years. She participated in fundraisers to help renovate the 1886 Leon County Courthouse and jail.

Vera was a member of the First Baptist Church in Buffalo. She was eleven years old when she accepted Jesus as her Savior and was baptized at Lake Leon.

Family was very important to Vera as evidenced by her collection of photos and genealogical information. She hosted many family events throughout the decades.

Beloved family members who predeceased Vera were her parents; husband, Reuben Barnett; and sisters, Bonnie Richmond and Laura Fae Head.

Bereaved family members include daughter, Reda Robinson (Robbie); granddaughters, Rachel Robinson (Aaron) and Rebecca Robinson Romero (Brennan); great-grandsons, Gavin, Weston, Tripp, Cruz, and Julian Romero; brother, Nathan Smith (Faye); as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, all dear to her heart.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to First Baptist Church, Building Fund, P.O. Box 309, Buffalo, Texas 75831 or a charity of choice.

Final arrangements are under the direction of the dedicated staff of Walters' Buffalo Funeral Home, Buffalo, Texas -- A Walters Family Funeral Home.