Velma "Charlene" Smith Obituary (2021)

Velma Charlene Smith, 85, of Pryor, went to her heavenly home on Thursday, July 1, 2021, at her home surrounded by family. She was born on September 17, 1935, in Markley, Texas; the daughter of Charles Luke Williams and Mabel Faye (Pounds) Williams. In the 7th grade, Charlene moved to Pryor, and she has called Pryor and Chouteau her home for the last 73 years. In 1953, Charlene married the love of her life, W.E. Smith and together they had 3 daughters, Jackie, Sharon, and Sherrie. All her life, Charlene was a homemaker and took great care of her husband and children. She has been a faithful member of the Chouteau First Baptist Church and she enjoyed being a part of her church family there. Charlene enjoyed going with them to Falls Creek as a cook and counselor. All the kids called her “Gammie” just like her grandkids did. After she broke her neck, she was unable to make it up the stairs to the classroom and teach the younger kids. Charlene was a prayer warrior, and an encourager to many. She went to many nursing homes in the Pryor and Chouteau area encouraging the elderly and sharing her fresh cantaloupe from her garden. Charlene had a warm and welcoming personality and as her children were growing up, their friends loved being around their mom as well. A loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother who will be dearly missed, but leaves behind many wonderful memories for her family and friends to cherish. Services for Charlene will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 6, 2021 at Chouteau First Baptist Church with Pastors Wayne Wall and Corey Nicholas officiating. Casket bearers will be Chad Wilson, Conner Stuart, J.W. Frachiseur, Callen Wilson, Ryan Wilson, and Dalton Wilson. Honorary casket bearers will be Jessie Edwards, John Clemmons, Rick Ehman, Tom Smith, David Call and Don Ragan. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday, July 5, 2021, at Shipman’s Funeral Home. To leave her family a message, please visit her Tribute Wall at www.shipmansfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Shipman’s Funeral & Cremation Service. Charlene is survived by her husband, W.E. Smith, of the home; daughters, Jackie Wilson and husband Rick of Pryor and Sharon Schwartz and husband Karl of Norman; sister, Betty Hawkins of Chouteau; grandchildren, Chad, April, Erica, Sharice, and Michaela; 9 great grandchildren; and 1 great great grandson. She is preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Mabel; daughter, Sherrie Sims; granddaughter, Sharae; 1 great granddaughter, ShaKayla Frachiseur; and 4 sisters, Marie, Irene, Katherine, and Mae.