Submitted by
Louise Willison

Alma Mae Connel Smith

NEWKIRK — Alma Mae Connel Smith, longtime Newkirk area resident, died Tuesday morning, Jan. 3, 2006, at her rural Newkirk home. She was 83.

The funeral has been scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, in First Baptist Church of Newkirk with the Rev. John Tramel officiating. Burial will follow in the Newkirk Cemetery under the direction of Miller-Stahl Funeral Service. The body will lie in state at the funeral home until 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday until noon. The casket will not be opened at the church.

Edna Mae Connel was born July 13, 1922, in Waurika, the daughter of Oza Leo and Minnie Trout Connel. She grew up and received her education at Waurika, and she graduated from Irving Consolidated High School in 1940 as valedictorian of her class.

Alma was married to her high school sweetheart, L.D. Smith, on July 5, 1942, in Chicago, Ill. During the early years of their marriage, while her husband served with the United States Navy, she was employed by the Baby Ruth Candy Factory in Chicago, a sandwich shop in Norfolk, and as a file clerk and timekeeper at Consolidated Aircraft in San Diego. Upon his discharge from the navy, they made their first home in Duncan. Seven years later they moved to Ponca City for a brief period before moving to St. Joseph, Mo., to enable L.D. to help his brother farm. In 1958 the couple bought a farm southeast of Newkirk where they have since resided.

A member of the First Baptist Church since 1958, Alma loved attending her Sunday school class and worship services. She enjoyed many hobbies. She loved growing and tending her flower and vegetable gardens, crocheting, reading, sewing, fishing and taking care of her family.

She is survived by her husband L.D. of the home; two sons and daughters-in-law, Doyle and Cheryl Smith, and Mike and Amy Smith, all of Newkirk; two sisters, Claudette Morgan of Hobbs, N.M., and Frances King of Johnson City, Tenn.; her grandchildren, Duane and Kelsey Smith of Tulsa, Darrell and Rebecca Smith of Oklahoma City; Logan Smith and Laina Smith, both of Newkirk; and two great-grandchildren, Seneca Smith of Tulsa and Isabelle Smith of Oklahoma City.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Thermond Connel and William Connel; and two sisters, Juanita Boyd and Marie Wilson.

Those serving as casket bearers will be Jerry Vap, Red Williams, David Sears, Herb Asche, Dick Testerman and Tracy Dorl.

A memorial fund has been established with Faith Hospice of Blackwell. Contributions may be made through Eastman National Bank, Box 468, Newkirk 74647-0468.