Grace Ann Hoskins Varner

Grace Ann Hoskins Varner, 82, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her daughters, at her home on September 20th in Richwood, Texas.

Grace was born on September 8, 1942 in Alum Creek, Texas, the second daughter of Ray Hoskins and Topsy Claiborne Hoskins. She graduated from Smithville High School. After high school, Grace attended Nixon Clay Commercial College in Austin Texas. After receiving her degree, she joined the Texas Employment Commission now known as the Texas Workforce Commission as an Analyst. Her keen mind for numbers served her well in her career of thirty-five years. After retirement, Grace continued to utilize her skills at Schlumberger. 

While chaperoning a friend to Fort Hood, Grace met the love of her life at the gates of the base. Sixty-five days after they met, Grace married David T. Varner, of Olney, Illinois, on November 27, 1963, The young couple settled in Central Texas, living primarily in Austin and briefly in Smithville. They relocated to Richwood, Texas to be near their daughters in 2017. After the death of her beloved husband of fifty-four years, Grace remained in Richwood.

Some of her many passions were her career, the music of George Strait, hummingbirds, and building her collections of treasures. Grace was always up for an adventure and loved to travel. Her primary purpose as an adult was her family. Her life was devoted to taking care of her family and finding joy in helping others. She was not one for the spotlight, but her smile would light up a room and her laugh was contagious. Grace's ability to put any person at ease with her humor and warmth made her loved by all who knew her. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, David T. Varner; her sisters, Laverne Ray and Rachel Smith; her beloved parents, Ray and Topsy Hoskins. As a devoted mother, Grace is survived by her two daughters. Her eldest daughter, Rhonda Varner Traband of Houston, her husband, Robert W. Traband, Jr. and their son, Will Traband. Her youngest daughter, Jennifer Laake Barrett of Richwood, Jennifer's daughter, Megan Laake Bach and her husband Joel Bach, Jennifer's son, Ryan Laake and his wife Stephanie Laake and Jennifer's son, Dylan Laake and his wife Jenna Laake. Grace also leaves behind four great-grandchildren: Audrey, Kynlie, Bodie and Dawson. 

Grace's surviving siblings are Gene Hoskins and his wife Carmen Hoskins, of Smithville, Texas and James Hoskins and his wife Cindy Hoskins, of Lexington, Texas;  and her brother-in-law, Doug Smith of Austin, Texas; as well as many beloved nieces, nephews and extended family.

Visitation will be held on Friday, October 4, 2024, from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Marrs-Jones Funeral Home, 110 American Legion Road in Smithville, Texas. A funeral service celebrating Grace’s life will be held the following day on Saturday, October 5, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Marrs-Jones Funeral Home with burial at Oak Hill Cemetery in Smithville, Texas. Following the gravesite service, a gathering with food and fellowship will be provided at First United Methodist Church Family Center, 400 Olive Street, Smithville Texas. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or Houston SPCA.