Helen
Helen Bernice Smith
d. January 15, 2013
Helen Bernice Smith, 90, formerly of Miami, Oklahoma, died Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at Jackson County Memorial Hospital in Altus, Oklahoma. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, January 19, 2013 at the Paul Thomas Funeral Home in Miami, Oklahoma with Brian Barlass officiating. Burial will follow services at the G.A.R. Cemetery under the direction of Thomas Funeral Home, Miami, Oklahoma.
Helen Smith was born May 29, 1922 in Jenks, Oklahoma to William R. and Hazel (Yeager) Rhinehart. Her family had moved to Rivervale, Arkansas, where she chopped cotton so she, her brother Dale and her sister Wilma could all attend private school. Helen had to quit school at age 14 to work and help her family. She married Richard Alvin Smith July 10, 1947 in Visalia, California. Helen continued her education at Northeastern Oklahoma A & M College in Miami, Oklahoma and earned an Associated Degree as a Licensed Practical Nurse. She had worked at Baptist Hospital and Bradshaw Hospital, both in Miami, Oklahoma. Helen was a member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and a charter member of the Church of Jesus Christ Restoration Branch in Miami, Oklahoma. She really liked chocolate, enjoyed music and gardening; and in particular, growing the best blueberries around. Helen was preceded in death by her parents; husband; two sons, Charles Whitaker and Steve Smith; two brothers, Dale and Robert Rhinehart; and a granddaughter, Stephanie Wilson. She is survived by two daughters, Patsy Wilson of Cleburne, TX; Jeanna Goodman and husband, Dr. Mark Goodman, of Altus, OK; two sisters, Wilma Neal of Stewartsville, MO; Jo Ann Blaylock of Seneca, MO; two brothers, Bill Rhinehart of Seneca, MO; Jim Rhinehart and wife Peggy of Seneca, Mo; two daughters-in-law, Becky Barlass of Adair, OK; Sammye Smith of Cabot, AR; fifteen grandchildren, Janece Russell and husband Eddie of Pryor, OK; Mark Barlass and wife Karen of Adair, OK; Brian Barlass and wife Jodi of Neosho, MO; Chris Barlass and wife Angella, of Big Cabin, OK; Wendy Wofford and husband Kevin of Vinita, OK; Tonya Combs, and husband Lance of Jenks, OK; Heather Flesner and husband Brian of Golven, IL; Naida Singleton and husband Brett of Bennettsville, SC; Anne Smith of New Bedford, TX; Amie Howell and husband Michael of Cushing, OK; Dustin Smith and wife Tonya of Centerton, AR; Megan Smith of Cabot, AR; Aaron Goodman of Fort Worth, TX; Josh and Caleb Goodman, both of Norman, OK; 27 great grandchildren; 9 great great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. The Smith Family will greet friends from 5:30 to 7:30 Friday evening at Paul Thomas Funeral Home, Miami, Oklahoma.
Helen Smith was born May 29, 1922 in Jenks, Oklahoma to William R. and Hazel (Yeager) Rhinehart. Her family had moved to Rivervale, Arkansas, where she chopped cotton so she, her brother Dale and her sister Wilma could all attend private school. Helen had to quit school at age 14 to work and help her family. She married Richard Alvin Smith July 10, 1947 in Visalia, California. Helen continued her education at Northeastern Oklahoma A & M College in Miami, Oklahoma and earned an Associated Degree as a Licensed Practical Nurse. She had worked at Baptist Hospital and Bradshaw Hospital, both in Miami, Oklahoma. Helen was a member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and a charter member of the Church of Jesus Christ Restoration Branch in Miami, Oklahoma. She really liked chocolate, enjoyed music and gardening; and in particular, growing the best blueberries around. Helen was preceded in death by her parents; husband; two sons, Charles Whitaker and Steve Smith; two brothers, Dale and Robert Rhinehart; and a granddaughter, Stephanie Wilson. She is survived by two daughters, Patsy Wilson of Cleburne, TX; Jeanna Goodman and husband, Dr. Mark Goodman, of Altus, OK; two sisters, Wilma Neal of Stewartsville, MO; Jo Ann Blaylock of Seneca, MO; two brothers, Bill Rhinehart of Seneca, MO; Jim Rhinehart and wife Peggy of Seneca, Mo; two daughters-in-law, Becky Barlass of Adair, OK; Sammye Smith of Cabot, AR; fifteen grandchildren, Janece Russell and husband Eddie of Pryor, OK; Mark Barlass and wife Karen of Adair, OK; Brian Barlass and wife Jodi of Neosho, MO; Chris Barlass and wife Angella, of Big Cabin, OK; Wendy Wofford and husband Kevin of Vinita, OK; Tonya Combs, and husband Lance of Jenks, OK; Heather Flesner and husband Brian of Golven, IL; Naida Singleton and husband Brett of Bennettsville, SC; Anne Smith of New Bedford, TX; Amie Howell and husband Michael of Cushing, OK; Dustin Smith and wife Tonya of Centerton, AR; Megan Smith of Cabot, AR; Aaron Goodman of Fort Worth, TX; Josh and Caleb Goodman, both of Norman, OK; 27 great grandchildren; 9 great great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. The Smith Family will greet friends from 5:30 to 7:30 Friday evening at Paul Thomas Funeral Home, Miami, Oklahoma.
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