Lavon Willis Smith arrived at Kashmere High School in the fall of 1974 as the former Miss Francis Scott Key. She didn’t waste any time and got right to work as a KRam student. In the spring of her tenth-grade year, she was selected to the varsity cheerleading squad under the leadership of Mrs. Lena Youngblood. She remained on the squad during her time at Kashmere and became co-captain her senior year. Mrs. Youngblood made sure that the squad served as role models who motivated and led the entire student body and all of the KRam sports teams to success throughout the Houston Independent School District. It was truly an honor for Lavon to be a member of the Kashmere High cheerleading squad.
While at Kashmere, Lavon was a leader off the field as well. Each year that she attended Kashmere (1974-1977), she was a member of the National Honor Society, a member of the Student Council, and was elected and served as Vice President of the Class of ’77. She was also elected as 12th Grade Attendant to Miss Kashmere’s royal court. With respect to her academics, Lavon was one of several class members to graduate with a 4.0 GPA or
better.
Upon graduating top 10% in her class from Kashmere, Lavon received a scholarship to attend the University of Texas at Austin. While at Texas, she became a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Delta Xi Chapter. Her service continued in her beloved sorority, where she held the offices of Dean of Pledgees, Treasurer and Historian. She graduated from the University of Texas with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1982.
After graduating from the University of Texas, Lavon began working and using her engineering degree to help her father, A.W. Willis, with his construction company. There, she worked as an estimator and project manager. She soon married her high school sweetheart, Anthony Q. Smith, who was inducted in the Ring of Honor in 2017. They will be celebrating 40 years of marriage this June. Currently, Lavon and Anthony are the owners of Smith-Mobley, Inc., a construction company that has been in business for over 32 years and specializes in stadium, arena, auditorium, and theatre fixed seating. Their company received the award of Minority Construction Firm of the Year in 2016 by the Greater Houston Business Procurement Forum Committee and their portfolio of work includes projects such as the installation of the stadium seating at Minute Maid Park, NRG, Toyota Center, and the PNC stadium (formerly known as BBVA stadium).
Lavon became a mother in 1984. She has six wonderful children – Anthony, Brittany, Bencil, Courtney, Leslee and Ryan. During their childhood, she became president of the PTO for 5 years at Northeast Christian School and a bible school teacher. She has taught bible school for 30 years and is a ministry servant at the Fifth Ward Church of Christ.
One of the things that gives Lavon the greatest joy is her family. Her family time is shared with her parents, her siblings and all of her extended family. Her immediate family has now grown with two daughters-in-law, one son-in-law, three grandsons, one granddaughter and one grandson on the way.
Lavon is grateful for the life lessons she received while walking through the halls at Kashmere High. She has taken those memories and the love that she has for the Lord to build the foundation that she stands on today.