Joan Kulbeth Smith

Born June 20, 1930, to Curtis and Gladys Kulbeth, Joan passed away May 6, 2023, not far from her 93rd birthday. She was wife to Martin Cleoh Smith for 71 years before he passed away December 21, 2021.

Joan is survived by her older sister, Kathryn Siedell of Plano, Texas, and by her five children: Kim Smith Whitehead, Martin Taylor Smith, Karen Marie Dora, Robin Kay Prestage, and Paul Quint Smith, who have blessed her with thirteen grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

Joan (pronounced Jo-Ann) attended the University of Arkansas for two years and continued to support the college. She and Cleoh belonged to the 4-H and Alumni Associations for the rest of their lives. She always loved following the Razorback football season and “calling the hogs.”

In 1951, Cleoh and Joan married, settled in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and started a family. They then moved to Russellville, Arkansas, and on to Hope, Arkansas, where they added more children. The family moved to Fort Worth, Texas, and then to northwest Oklahoma City where they lived for more than 60 years.

Joan was a very integral part of her community. She played an active role at Grace United Methodist Church, serving for more than 50 years in the UMW(United Methodist Women) and delivering “Meals on Wheels” to the elderly and homebound. She was also the Girl Scout leader of Cadette Troop 366 for 27 years. Joan and her husband Cleoh were hosts to five foreign exchange students in their household and were counselors for the students and families involved in the AFS program for years. She was a lifelong advocate and supporter of her college sorority Zeta Tau Alpha which honored her with the “Panhellenic Women of the Year” award in 2010. As a breast cancer survivor herself, Joan (at age 80, 81, and 82 yrs. old) and her daughters (Kim and Karen) walked in the annual Susan G. Komen 3-Day 60-Mile Walks. When asked about walking in her 83rd year, she responded, “No, I think I have walked enough for them.”

When Cleoh and Joan retired in 1987, they traveled extensively around the United States, visiting all 50 states. Always ready for an adventure, they enjoyed traveling with friends and family, and seeing other friends and family around the world.

Joan was revered by her family and friends for her big heart, for her willingness to help, and for having a kind word of encouragement for all. She believed that leaders were not born, they were made by developing three major traits: Knowledge, Desire, and Preparation. She believed you should learn all that you could, share all you could with others, and accept responsibility for your actions. Joan Kulbeth Smith had a heart of gold and loved her family fiercely. She was a calming force to equalize the stress of almost any situation. She will be truly missed.