Virginia J. Smith (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Coughran, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; sister-in-law, Darlene Bradshaw, of Lebanon, Missouri; a number of nieces and nephews; and a host of extended relatives and friends.
She was raised in Lebanon, Missouri and after finishing her education worked at Medley Pharmacy in Lebanon, Missouri where she met James. As a loving mother and supportive Virginia Juanita Jones Smith, daughter of Rev. Larkin Jones and Etta Moreland Jones, was born in Charity, Missouri. She departed this life peacefully at the age of ninety-seven years, on Thursday, April 13, 2017, at her home in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
On June 14, 1953, she was united in marriage to Dr. James Everett Smith, and to this union two daughters were born.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Dr. James Everett Smith, on March 18, 2005; and siblings, Floyd Jones, Rev. Marie Smith, Delores Helfer and Ethel Pettitt.
Virginia is survived by two daughters, Karen Smith Rickert, and her husband, Rick Moore Rickert, of Pleasant Hope, Missouri, and Melinda Smith Watkins, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; granddaughter, Megan Mackenzie partner, Virginia assumed the title of Minister’s Wife with great poise and style, truly a blessed support to her husband and the congregations they subsequently served. Virginia and James served the First Christian Church in Howe, Texas from 1953 until 1954, the Central Christian Church in Stamford, Texas from 1954 until 1961, the Urbandale Christian Church in Dallas, Texas from 1962 until 1971, and the First Christian Church in Duncan, Oklahoma from 1972 until 1992, the longest tenure of any of the previous twenty-one ministers in the history of the church. Not only did Virginia work at the church’s day care center during this time, but was also extremely active with the church’s ongoing activities, including Christian Women’s Fellowship. Throughout the years, Virginia remained a devoted homemaker, wife and mother. Once retired, Virginia and James made their home in Springfield, Missouri for a short time before moving to Oklahoma City.
Virginia had a deep, abiding faith in God and was a member of New Covenant Christian Church in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, at the time of her death.
A multi-talented and gifted woman, Virginia played the piano, the organ, and the accordion. She had a beautiful singing voice, loved by all during Sunday services throughout her and James’ ministry. She was an excellent seamstress, adept interior designer and magnificent hostess. Her family was always her first priority, but her pride and joy was granddaughter, Megan. It was Virginia and James’ desire to help in raising their granddaughter that brought them back to Oklahoma City. Virginia greatly enjoyed having a part in molding Megan into the young lady she is today.
Virginia was a loving mother, grandmother, aunt, sister-in-law, and steadfast friend to many. We celebrate her life and all that she accomplished and know that her family will hold tight to the special memories she made during her lifetime.
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