Charlexa Ballard Smith, 88, of League City, Texas, passed away on March 20, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones.

Born in Deport, Texas, on August 27, 1936, she was the eldest daughter of Roy and Catharine Shuford Ballard.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, J.R. “Red” Smith; and her brothers, Rodney, Larry, and Billy Ballard.

Charlexa is survived by her sister, Sue Ballard Tally; sister-in-law, Janis Burns Ballard; nieces and nephews, Scott Tally, Norman Ballard, Greg Tally, Chris Tally, Stacy Wilkie, and Heather Abshire; as well as eleven great-nieces and nephews and four great-great-nieces and nephews.

She met J.R., the love of her life, on a blind date, and together they celebrated 65 years of marriage before his passing in 2020. Charlexa and J.R. were devoted members of Calder Baptist Church and cherished spending time with family and their close-knit dinner club, which gathered in each other’s homes for over 50 years.

A Certified Public Accountant, Charlexa earned her State Board of Public Accounting certification in 1978 and successfully ran her own practice. She was an active member of various professional organizations in the Beaumont area. A passionate reader, she especially enjoyed non-fiction and historical literature. She was also deeply engaged in politics, keeping up with current events and actively participating in local and national Republican organizations.

Charlexa will be laid to rest alongside her husband in a private ceremony at a later date.