Obituary for Irene Smyth

Laura Irene Smyth of Blackwell died Thursday morning, January 8, 2015, in the Hillcrest Manor Nursing Home at the age of 96 years.

Laura Irene Smyth was born on July 25, 1918, to W. J. and Olive (Mitchell) Congram on a farm near Eddy that her grandfather, Sam Congram, claimed in the Run in 1893. She graduated from Lamont High School in 1937 and was salutatorian of her class, barely missing by 9/100ths of a point. She played the piano by ear, a gift she said she inherited from her mother. On August 5, 1937, she married the love of her life, Taylor Smyth. In 1940 they moved to a farm northwest of Blackwell where they lived for thirty-three years. She loved the farm life, especially gardening, canning, raising chickens and milking cows. She drove many miles taking hot meals to the field where her husband was working. She was well known throughout the neighborhood for her angel food cakes. The family joined the First Christian Church in 1949 and she played the piano for the kindergarten class and later for XL Sunday School Class. She also served as pianist for the AARP organization and was a volunteer for the Top of Oklahoma Historical Society Museum. During her children’s school years she was involved with 4-H, fairs, stock shows and sports. She served on the Bethel School Board and assisted in the planning of the new school. To supplement farm income she and her husband worked as custom harvesters for twenty-seven years. She drove the pick-up pulling the house trailer, was cook and hauled grain. In 1963 she became a charter member of the New Bethel Extension Homemakers Group and served as county president from 1972-74. In 1973 the family moved into Blackwell to make their home. Her husband preceded her in death on October 14, 1996, and she continued to make Blackwell her home. Her many hobbies included sewing, crocheting, cooking and trying new recipes. She enjoyed country music, playing the piano, raising African Violets, flower gardening, shopping, playing cards and eating out with friends.

She is survived by a son, Max Smyth and wife Betty of Blackwell; a daughter, Kay Lynn Pendleton and husband Russ of Ponca City; six grandchildren, Mike Smyth and wife Debbie of Blackwell, Cindy Nolen and husband Michael of Pinehurst, Texas, Kurt Pendleton and wife Sue of Bartlesville, Lora Haub and husband Kirk on Ponca City, Mark Mitchell and wife Terri of Tonkawa, and Teri Hall of Tonkawa; seventeen great grandchildren, Kenny Smyth and wife Danilla, Taylor Smyth, Kimberly Beeler and husband Willie, Barbara King and husband Jason, Scottie O’Hern, Max Nolen, Mickey Nolen, Justin Nolen, Bryan Mitchell, Jared Mitchell, Jennifer Mitchell, Kristen Parker and husband Shane, Kayce Pendleton, Sally Pendleton, Betsy Pendleton, Kayla Tillisch and husband Justin, and Grant Freeman; and nine great great grandchildren, Joshua, Kortney and Hayley Smyth, Hannah and Hadley Smyth, Kelcy Beeler, Alexis Nolen, Riley Mitchell and Landon Tillisch.

She was also preceded in death by her parents; a brother, J. W. “Bud” Congram; and a great grandson, Tyler Hall.

Services are scheduled for 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 13th in the First Christian Church in Blackwell with Rev. Jeff Koch officiating. Burial will follow in the Blackwell Cemetery.

Caskebearers will be Mike Smyth, Kurt Pendleton, Michael Nolen, Kirk Haub, Mark Mitchell, Taylor Smyth and Jeff Love. Serving as honorary casketbearers will be Kenneth Kivett, Keith Jeffries, Jim Kincaid, Ken Glass, Lowell Rodgers and Larry Hudson.

In lieu of flowers the family request that donation be made to the First Christian Church Youth Group in c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631.

The family will greet friends for a time of visitation from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Monday evening, January 12th at the funeral home.