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Mary L. Smith, 82, passed from this life on January 9, 2013 at Hillcrest Medical Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma. Mary was born on January 23, 1930 in Stilwell, Oklahoma to Thomas Rush Freeman and Violet Marietta Freeman. After graduating from Muskogee Central High School in 1948, she married Rufus M. Smith on July 1, 1949. Former employers include Woolworth's, Advance Laundry, Hunt's Department Store, H. B. Zachry, and Acme Engineering and Manufacturing. After retirement, Mary enjoyed shopping, sewing, reading books, e-mailing friends, and visiting with her family. In 2010, she was featured as one of the five-generation families in the book "Portraits of a Generation - The Children of Oklahoma - Sons and Daughters of the Red Earth by M. J. Alexander. Mary recently completed her bucket list by visiting Mount Rushmore National Memorial in September 2012.
Predeceased by her parents and sister, Bobbye (O.V.) Jennings, survivors include Rufus "Rip" Smith, husband of 63 years and faithful companion Sparky Dunkin of the home; daughters, Marsha (Michael) Jonjock, Owasso; Marilyn (Ron) Cox, Tulsa; Melissa (Chuck) Coon, Guthrie; and Myrna Payne, Muskogee; sister, Donna (Willie) Dornan of Glendale, AZ and brother, Jim (Henri) Freeman of Castle Rock, CO. Grandchildren include Marla Carter, Kristen Lackey, Brandon Jonjock, Mariah Krause, Tyler Coon, and Robby Epperson; five great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren, along with numerous special nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Mary will be held at 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, January 16, 2013 at Lescher-Millsap Funeral Home Chapel in Muskogee, OK, with Pastor Mike Franz officiating. Pallbearers include Michael Jonjock, Brandon Jonjock, Leon Carter, Scott Hollis, Bruce Meredith, and Jerry Sims. Honorary Pallbearers include Ron Cox, Chuck Coon, Robby Epperson, and John Ogden. Burial will be in Fort Gibson National Cemetery.
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