Jane Elizabeth McAllister Smith Smith Fields Phelps, 70, cashed out of this life on December 2, 2022 in Houston, Texas surrounded by her husband of 40 years and daughter of 36 years. 

Jane was born in Nacogdoches, Texas on November 22, 1952 to William McAllister (Mack) Smith and Clara Elizabeth (Betty) Palmer Smith. She was a first generation Texan and sometimes imagined herself as a southern bell. She was raised in Chireno, Texas in a pine cabin built by her daddy. Growing up she loved horses and building pine straw houses with her best friends. Here she met Charlotte Singleton and they remained best friends for the rest of Jane’s life. As a girl she traveled every summer to Waverly, Tennessee to visit her Aunt Barbra where her love of horses met her love of mischief. She attended boarding school in Connecticut and later, the Sorbonne in Paris, France. She didn’t learn a lick of French but she pretended she did. Upon visiting her in Paris, her aunt and uncle were relieved to see while she had become a hippy, she at least bathed. 

She later moved back to Texas and then promptly to San Francisco to explore a brief, ill-advised marriage to her first husband that she had met while in Europe. After she realized the mistake of marrying someone with the same last name, she high-tailed it back to Texas where she started working in Center for Dr. Robert I. Hughes. She worked with Robert for nearly 40 years where they became chosen family. A second marriage (and friendship) occurred when she met Gene and his son Alphaa. Alphaa walked so that Dianne could later run. Another one of Jane’s spoils from her split with Gene was her friendship with Dianne Murphee. Dianne, whom she named her only daughter after, became her best friend of a certain number of years that neither would divulge.

In the fall of 1980, Jane met Mark E. Phelps and while the story told of their meeting has been changed a few times over the years, it’s safe to say they were immediately smitten.  They married in 1982 and celebrated 40 years married this past July.  Dianne came along eventually and Jane did her best to show Dianne how to be a lady. She failed, but Dianne does know what fork to use.

  Jane loved to tell jokes and stories and while they usually fell flat, she thought she was hilarious and that is truly what matters most. She loved to play bridge, chain smoke cigarettes and drink coffee. She loved to play the slots and to visit the casino. She had a sometimes green thumb and educated Dianne on all the flowers.  Her love of hummingbirds resulted in her sometimes having hundreds of hummingbirds visit her feeders at a time. She enjoyed fine China and silver but was not above rolling up an enchilada into a napkin to take with her for later. Jane thought of herself as crafty and Dianne gaslighted her into thinking she could sell her handmade ornaments on Etsy. Jane adored Christmas and tradition, something she passed onto her daughter. She hoarded Kleenexes and straws, hated drinking water and never finished anything that she opened in the pantry. She loved animals and when asked before she passed who she was excited to see she immediately answered “the dogs”.  She was competitive and not above cheating even when Dianne was a small child. She was generous and loved giving gifts. She was tender hearted and loved to hold hands.

A brief battle with lung cancer that spread throughout her body devastated her family but Jane remained strong for us all. She gave it hell and we are so proud of her.

  Jane is preceded in death by her parents, Mack and Betty Smith, and brother Richard Dutton. 

The gratitude the Phelps family have for the nurses and doctors and staff at M. D. Anderson is immeasurable. 

 Jane left a large hole in the hearts of her family and will be missed with every breath. 

 Rest well, my little Jewish mouse. 

Funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, December 10, 2022, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center with visitation at 9:00 a.m.  Interment will be at Lower Chireno Cemetery in Nacogdoches County.

Jane is survived by: Her favorite husband, Mark Phelps Daughter, Dianne Phelps  Stepson, Alphaa Fields  Special friend, real daughter, accomplice and chauffeur: Alma Jaimes  Sister, Louise Nelson of Punta Gorda, Florida Brother, Bigs and Judy Smith of Boise Idaho  Sisters in Law:  Jon Rholes of Kyle  Laura Jo Richardson and Kirk of Jasper A host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.  Innumerable friends. 

Pallbearers: Joe Parker, Billy Ihlo, Alphaa Fields, Robby Hughes, Troy Bara and Aditya Atholi  Honorary pallbearers: Dr. Robert Hughes, Ryan Rholes, Dr. L. E. Golden, and Terry Harris  Most say in lieu of flowers, but truly, she wanted all the flowers. 

Online condolences & tributes can be sent at www.watsonandsonsfh.com