Kristi Howell Smith LUBBOCK-Kristi Howell Smith passed away Wednesday, May 13, 2015. We will gather for fellowship and remembrance from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 15, 2015, at Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers. Family and friends will gather to celebrate her life of 56 years on Saturday, May 16, 2015, at 2 p.m. at Southcrest Baptist Church. A tribute of Kristi's life may be found at www.memorialdesigners.net, where you may leave memories and expressions of sympathy for her family. Kristi was born Feb. 25, 1959, in Lubbock, Texas, to Leslie C. and Tottye A. Howell and attended elementary school in Lubbock. In 1971, Kristi moved with her family to Irving, Texas, where she attended Travis Junior High School and MacArthur High School. Kristi played varsity tennis in high school and earned all-district honors and most valuable player in her senior year. Kristi moved back to Lubbock and attended Texas Tech University. In 1983, she went to work with the Texas Department of Public Safety as a Communications Operator and was promoted to Regional Communications Regional Supervisor in Midland in 2002. Kristi completed her career with the department as the Assistant Manager in Driver License in 2011. Kristi married the love of her life, Kelly Jack Smith, on Sep. 13, 2008. Kelly was the best thing that ever happened in Kristi's life. He supported her through her illness. She loved him for the way he loved her and made her laugh. In 2012 she was diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer and in 2014 she was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer. She fought a courageous battle with the support of her family, friends, the medical staff at Covenant Women and Children's 5 North, Joe Arrington Cancer Center and the Covenant Palliative Unit. Kristi is survived by her husband, Kelly, daughter Sara Gonzalez, (husband) Jorge and two bright spots in her life, her granddaughters, Amelia and Selene Gonzalez, all of Lubbock. Aunt and Uncle Bob and Jane Hendrix, and cousins Mike and Alan Hendrix, Laura, Bobby, and Daniel Blount, Rex Miller, Larry Miller and Claudia Miller. Kristi is preceded in death by her parents and her grandson Marcus Gonzalez.