Regina Smarto

 Regina “Gina” Smarto of Grand Prairie, Texas went to her heavenly reward on September 7, 2024. Regina is survived by her husband Don, her son Luke, daughter-in-law Tania, brother John, granddaughter Zoryana and many cousins and dear friends. She was preceded by her loving parents William Beyers and Gloria Beyers.

Regina was born on July 21, 1955 in Oak Park, Illinois and raised in Wheaton, Illinois west of Chicago. She grew up in a loving home. Her parents were very active in their Bible church, Assembly of God in Wheaton. Her dad was a respected deacon who was head of the church building committee and supervised the construction of a church nursing home. The Beyers’ home was a place of bible studies, prayer groups and welcomed visiting missionaries. Her mother Gloria frequently shared the gospel with friends, neighbors, and co-workers. It was in this faith environment that she embraced Jesus as Lord and Savior as a young girl. She learned the value of service from her loving mother and strength and courage from her father, a Marine Corps hero of fierce battles in the South Pacific in World War II.

Regina graduated from a private Christian high school, Wheaton Academy and attended Evangel College in Springfield, Missouri for two full years. She then received medical training at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Illinois. Regina worked in Histology where she stained and examined tissues under a microscope. Next, she performed heart EKGs at Loyola Hospital. Her mother Gloria was secretary to the chief pathologist for many years. Eventually, Regina worked in pediatric cardiology for the Heart Institute of Chicago, where she showed compassion to parents of sick children for many years.

Don and Gina met at Loyola Hospital in 1972. He was a phlebotomist and also did EKGs. Regina’s Italian mother invited Don to their house for spaghetti dinners. Gloria was a not-so-subtle match maker. Eventually Don and Gina began dating, became friends, and fell in love. They had a large Italian wedding May 16, 1976. Their marriage of 48 years was the type some only hope for. They were true partners in church service and ministry and enjoyed concerts by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, visited Dallas and Fort Worth art museums, and enjoyed classic films from the 1940s.

Because of Don’s ministry work, Regina enjoyed events with evangelist Billy Graham who always greeted her by name. They had lunch with Ruth Graham. Joni Eareckson Tada and Regina developed a friendship. They shared joyful conversations. Regina and Don also knew Charles Stanley.

 Regina coordinated hundreds of volunteers in 781 juvenile prisons in 18 states for over 25 years. She would share the gospel with troubled boys and girls in every facility.

As a pastor’s wife in four Baptist churches, Regina was Don’s anchor. She loved teaching children and decorating the church sanctuary and halls with flowers and banners at Southside Baptist Church in Granbury, Texas for over three years. With love, Regina gave Pastor Don feedback on his sermons. She would say, “Less theology and more practical guidance. Give people something uplifting they can use Monday through Saturday.” She read her Bible daily and was a woman of faith.

Their son Luke, was the joy of their life. You can hardly find a more loving mother. Luke had early health challenges with three open heart surgeries at three months, at 18 months, and at age 9. Regina was always in his hospital room, holding him, comforting him and praying with him. Early in 2024, Regina was with Luke in North Carolina for a heart procedure.

Regina was blessed by Luke and Tania’s wedding ceremony and dinner in 2022 and filled with joy at the birth of her beautiful granddaughter Zoryana in May 2023. 

As a loving couple, Pastor Don and Regina had warm memories of travel together. They snorkeled in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, climbed a dormant volcano in New Zealand, had a photo safari in Kenya, Africa, explored ancient castles in England, viewed Paris from the Eiffel Tower, boated on Amsterdam canals, enjoyed Flamenco in Barcelona, and had several visits to Rome, Milan, Florence, Venice, Naples and Amalfi.

Their life was filled with laughter and love, each finishing each other’s sentences. Whether attending a play, or a concert or walking through an arboretum, Pastor Don and Regina held each other’s hands. 

Regina is not defined by the aggressive cancer that took her life too soon, but by her faith, her love of family and friends, and her service to others. Her pain and suffering are over and she has a new glorified body because of her faith. 

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Youth Direct Ministry, Bringing Gospel to Troubled Youth, 416 Laura Lane, Grand Prairie, TX 75052, Checks to: Youth Direct.