Obituary for Lena Smith

Ponca City Now - December 24, 2018 12:05 pm

Lena B. Smith

March 17, 1925 – December 22, 2018

Mrs. Lena B. Smith of Ponca City has gone to heaven. She was 93 years young. So organized and prepared was she, that she wrote her own obituary years ago. This is that obituary as she wrote it.

“Lena was born to Travis and Hattie B. Vawter in Lincoln, Arkansas on a farm along with five brothers and six sisters. This was during the Depression Days. Her parents made the living off the fat of the land which was interesting as they all learned the basics of life and how to survive.

In 1938, the family moved to Bakersfield Calif. The children all managed to finish high school and since there was plenty of work during those years, they all knew how to work so they got jobs, married and lived there their remaining lives.

Lena met her childhood sweetheart in high school and in 1943 was married to Bedford J. Smith.
In 1951 they moved to Pampa, Texas and started a vending machine route within a 100-mile area, which later became Panhandle Amusement Co. They operated that for 25 years. Lena was office manager and a 24-hour answering service during that time. After retiring, they moved to Oklahoma City. Her husband B.J. remained in OK City. Lena spent her remaining years in Ponca City. She enjoyed being a homemaker and loved her 2 granddaughters and three great grandchildren. Mrs. Smith was a member of the Sunset Baptist Church and attended the Sunshine Class there.

Lena was welcomed to heaven by her parents, husband, and one granddaughter Dawn Shana Smith.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory and mourn her loss her son, Bedford Smith and his life companion Robin Creech, two granddaughters Rhonda Carol Smith of Texas, and Pamela DeAnn Keeler and husband Micky of Ponca City, three great grandchildren Dane Smith, Mackenzie Keeler, and Lane Keeler, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday January 5, 2019 10 a.m. to celebrate Lena’s life. The minister Don Huddleston will officiate. Internment of her ashes will follow at Resthaven Memorial Cemetery in Ponca City.