Patsy Lavern Smith

Funeral Services for Patsy Lavern Carter-Smith will be held Saturday, September 28th , 2019, at 2:00 PM at Reed Culver Chapel with Bro. Bill Bell and Bro. Keith Bell officiating. Her visitation will be held Friday, September 27th, 2019, beginning at 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Reed Culver Chapel. She will be laid to rest at Tahlequah City Cemetery following her services. Online condolences for her family may be left at www.reedculver.com

Pallbearers for Patsy include David Carter, Lacey Carter, Ryan Carter, Josh Carter, Galen Carter, Dustin Butler, and Thomas Carter.

Patsy Lavern Carter Smith came into this world on Monday, January 20, 1936 in Muskogee, Oklahoma, the daughter of RC and Margaret (Patrick) Carter. She grew up in the Carter Community south of Tahlequah, OK. Patsy had a happy childhood. She went to elementary school in the one room Carter Elementary School with many cousins. She attended Baggley High School for two years and graduated from Tahlequah Central High School in 1954.

In 1953, she met Ronald Dean Smith and they were married on November 25, 1953. Ronald joined the United States Air Force in February, 1954. After his basic training, they were assigned to Scott AFB in Belleville, Illinois. It was a new experience for Patsy. It was the first time she had been away from home. Together, they started their new life in a rented apartment in Belleville.

After 18 months at Scott AFB, they were transferred to Harlingen, Texas in the Rio Grande Valley. Patsy fell in love with Harlingen with the Citrus Fruit and subtropical weather. Their stay there was short, however, when Ron was sent to Korea for a year. Patsy returned to Tahlequah to wait for his return. Upon his return, they were sent to Donaldson AFB Greenville, South Carolina. Ron was discharged in February, 1958. They moved to Fort Worth, Texas where Ron Started working for IBM.

In Fort Worth they purchased their first house. Patsy loved her first house. Ron was anxious to return closer to their relatives. In 1960 they transferred to Tulsa, Oklahoma. During the 34 years Ron worked for IBM, they attended many IBM schools around the country. This allowed them to see many different parts of the United States. They loved to go camping and fishing. Patsy loved to fish for crappie and they spend many days fishing together.

After Ron’s retirement in April, 1992, they purchased a motor home and began spending the winters in the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas. It was there that Patsy accompanied Ron to “Jam Sessions” around the Valley where Ron picked his guitar and sang. She made many “Winter Texan” friends from all around the country. She also enjoyed vacationing in Tennessee, Kentucky and West Virginia. She loved the country, the people, the food and music in this area. She possessed a smile that would light up a room and a warm heart. Patsy made friends no matter where the road would lead her. A Christian by faith,Patsy and Ron were long time members of the Eastside General Baptist Church near Catoosa, OK.

The Lord called this good and faithful servant home from her labors on Saturday, September 21, 2019 in Tulsa, OK. She was 83 years old.

She was proceeded in death by her folks RC and Margaret Carter and a brother, Jerry Carter.

She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Ron of the home, one brother Ronnie and wife Janice of Keys, OK, , many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and a host of friends and loved ones too numerous to mention.