Ted Dennis Smith

Ted Dennis Smith, longtime Okmulgee County resident, passed away Monday, June 5, 2006 at Hillcrest Medical Center in Tulsa. He was 89 years of age. Ted was born June 20, 1916 in Lula, Oklahoma to Ruben Edward and Cora Bell (Davis) Smith. Ted grew up in the Lula-Ada area and in 1936, at the age of 20, he started teaching at Rocky Point Schools near Lula in Coal County. He taught there for seven years and in 1943 starting teaching at Owl Creek, which was three miles from Stonewall. On October 3, 1940, Ted married Roberta Hope Goff in Stonewall, Oklahoma. Ted later started teaching at a small school called Durant in Okmulgee County, and taught there for six years. From 1950 to 1967 he acted as superintendent and teacher at Hoffman and Grayson schools. From there he went to the Community Media Service Center in Okmulgee where he served as director from 1967-1970. The following year Ted was superintendent at Wilson School in Okmulgee County and from 1971-1981, he was the Director of Deep Fork Community Action in Okmulgee, where he was responsible for implementing the meals-on-wheels programs as well as many others. Ted retired in 1981 at the age of 65. Ted was a member of the Morris United Methodist Church and the Morris Masonic Lodge. He enjoyed a life of retirement at home with his wife, Hope, until she passed away in 2003 at the age of 83. Ted and Hope had a wonderful and long marriage.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Dennis Edward Smith, a grandson, Davie Jess Smith, a brother, Burtis Smith and a sister, Amy Glover.

Survivors include three children, Judy Childress and husband Bill of Stillwater, Doug B. Smith of Dewar and Dickie Ted Smith and wife LouAnn of Hoffman, ten grandchildren, Cash Childress of Springdale, Arkansas, Eddie Smith of Inola, Candice Tower of Stillwater, Darin Smith of Dewar, Misty Lynch of Hoffman, Jason Childress of Drumright, Larry Smith of Dewar, Jody Smith of Hoffman, Jill Smith of Hoffman and Jace Smith of Hoffman, and twenty one great grandchildren, all who loved him very much. His family was gathered around him at the time of his passing and will miss him a great deal.

A graveside service will be held 10:00 A.M. Friday, June 9, 2006 at the Okmulgee Cemetery. Friends may visit the funeral home on Thursday from 12-8 P.M. Arrangements are under the direction of the McClendon-Winters Funeral Home of Okmulgee. Condolences may be sent at www.mcclendon-winters.com