James Smith

Fairland -- James L. Smith, 90, a resident of Fairland Oklahoma, passed away April 19, 2007 at Integris Grove General Hospital in Grove, Oklahoma. Mr. Smith was born in Washington County, Arkansas on June 29, 1916. He was the seventh of ten children born to James and Bessie (Brannan) Smith. James and his family settled in Verdigris, Oklahoma, where he spent his early years helping on the farm. In high school, he really enjoyed playing on the Varsity Basketball Team and graduated in a class of nine. Meeting during their school years, James married the love of his life, Oleta Goad, on August 3, 1941, in Claremore, Oklahoma. Oleta preceded James in death one week after their 62nd wedding anniversary in 2003. James and Oleta raised their family in California, becoming active in the West Anaheim Church of the Nazarene where the family came to know the Lord. James worked in the steel industry as a welder for U.S. Steel and a Welding Supervisor for Miley Trailer before retiring in 1977. James and Oleta then returned to Oklahoma, settling in Fairland, where he enjoyed their small farm raising chickens, goats, rabbits, and a few head of cattle. After attending the Miami Church of the Nazarene for a time, they became charter members of the Grove Church of the Nazarene. James is survived by his son, James Larry Smith and wife, Sharon, his daughter, Sequita Joyce Coyle and husband, Bill, five grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, one sister, Prentice Howard, and one sister-in-law, Joyce Smith. James was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and eight brothers and sisters, which included Elsie Fitzpatrick, Zelvie Bickel, Troy Smith, Rillie Smith, Ethel Smith, Evelyn Arah Corley Bristow, Hollis Smith and Robert Lee Smith. Services have been entrusted to Worley-Luginbuel Funeral Home, 711 South Main, Grove, Oklahoma. Friends and family may send online condolences by viewing James' obituary at www.honoringmemories.com.

Service Details

Saturday, April 21st, 2007 10:00am, Church of the Nazerene - Grove

Interment Details

Hickory Grove Cemetery