About Us

Matt Smith entered the funeral business in 2009 as a funeral pre-arrangement agent.  In September 2010, he and his business partner Gayle Potter purchased Fry-Barlett Funeral Home where Matt became funeral director in charge (FDIC) and moved his family into the residence.  This partnership continued for the next 4 years.  In September 2014, Matt and his wife Rachel bought the funeral home and became sole owners and changed the name to Fry-Smith Funeral Home. In his free time, Matt enjoys sporting clays (think golf with a shotgun) and can often be found on a skeet trap or sporting clay course when not at the funeral home.  He also enjoys tinkering on any type of mechanical item such as vehicles and tractors.  He and Rachel have been married for over 30 years and have raised three children in the funeral home. Together, they enjoy traveling to visit their grown children and their families.

Angela Burson joined the Fry Smith Funeral Home team in September of 2023.  She has lived in the Tuscola/Buffalo Gap area for 15 years. She has two teenagers who have grown up in the Jim Ned community.  After teaching elementary school for 14 years, Angela has taken a break from education to join us here at the funeral home.  Owner of her own home baking business, Sugar Therapy, she bakes all the cookies served here during visitations. An active member in her church, she also serves on the Youth Ministry Team.  She also enjoys reading books, traveling with her kids, serving on mission teams,  and spending time with her friends and family.

Bob Newberry joined the Fry-Smith team helping with funeral services in 2023 .  Bob made a career with UPS and in his retirement, he enjoys traveling with his wife of 47 years, shotgun shooting and sporting clays,  his granddaughters, playing golf with his sons, and simply enjoying life with a smile.

Debbie Vanadore has been with the Fry-Smith family since 2021.  An Abilene girl all her life, Debbie spent years teaching elementary, middle school, and special ed.  Married for over 25 years, she and her husband have raised two beautiful daughters. A talented singer, Debbie is a member of the Abilene Star Chorus. She enjoys traveling with her family, serving her church, and at Christmastime, you will find her as Mrs. Claus.