Blake Beust Smith, born in 1975 in Houston to Brenda Beust Smith and William A. (Bill) Smith, passed peacefully at the age of 48 on January 31, 2023.
Blake is survived by his parents and his great-uncle, Bishop Emeritus René H. Gracida, as well as his aunts Judy Beust Harrington, Audrey Beust McMurray, Sara Miller Beust, and many cousins, including Alex and Annie Beust; Cris, Jack and Emma Harrington; Stuart, MaryCarmen (Mimi) McMurray and C. James McMurray; Ralph (Dickie), Jason, and Lisa Marie Allen; Willy, Sam, and Rachel Allen; Randy and Georgie Marie Allen; and Lindsey, Matthew, and Amber Allen.

Blake, a music lover, really enjoyed being with lifelong companions, Victor and Rene Enriquez, along with Abel Anzaldua (and their families) and all the wonderful staff and clients at the Special Kind of TLC program, dedicated to the advancement of individuals with developmental disabilities.

Autism did not prevent Blake from learning to communicate by facilitation, relaxing at Bolivar Peninsula beach, learning new skills (especially bowling) and watching sports on TV with Dad. Favorite videos were of his Dad’s Aldine High school football wins, “Didi” (Aunt Audrey) on guitar and Mister Rogers. Happiness was playing his own small piano and guitar “compositions.” Favorite treats included peanut butter malts from Dairy Queen, buying baloney at A-1 Supermarket on Atascocita Dr. and driving around Sheldon State Prairie Park, Eisenhower Park and Duessen Park looking for wildlife.

Blake was a special member loved by an extended family that stretched from Oklahoma to Bolivar Peninsula to the Pacific Coast and by wonderful friends and caretakers, including Lynn Morales and all the TLC staff. We are so grateful for their support these many years.

Blake gave in death, as he gave in life, with organ/tissue donations LifeGift and Autism BrainNet. Please, in lieu of flowers, consider donations to these two organizations.
(Special thanks to Diana Allen for her help with compiling Blake’s pictures.)