Deanna Sharon Smith's Obituary
Deanna Sharon Smith was born on January 28, 1939, in Oklahoma City, OK, and went to her eternal home to be with Jesus, on June 15, 2016. “My Jay,” as she lovingly called her husband, preceded her in death less than a year earlier. Deanna was the only child born to Elvin Raymond Goodrich and Freeda Frances Garrett and lived most of her life in Oklahoma City, OK. A job transfer eventually took her to Kansas City, MO, where she and Jay resided for 17 years before spending the last three years near their children in Dallas, TX. No matter where they lived, church was a big part of their lives, and they treasured the friendships that developed there. While Deanna spent most of her career as an executive administrator working for distinguished business leaders in Oklahoma City, her heart remained at home. She truly loved, and exhibited that love, to her husband, family, friends, and people from all walks of life who crossed her path, even if only briefly. This love was born from a life-changing incident that occurred at the age of eight, when Deanna learned about God’s love at a Nazarene church revival and placed her faith in His Son Jesus. Her prayer life, her trust in Jesus, and her daily reading of God’s Word gave her great strength, endurance, and joy even in the midst of life’s difficulties. Deanna was also widely known for her kindness and gentleness toward others. People often referred to her as one of the sweetest people they have ever known. Deanna’s tenderness also surfaced in the things she enjoyed: butterflies, flowers, candles, babies, animals, southern gospel music, inspirational books, and “pretty things,” as she would say, especially shiny things. Most of all, she enjoyed her children, her family, and her Jay, especially their daily worship time together, when the two of them would pray, and read the Bible and devotional books. When Deanna and Jay married in 1973, they each brought two children into the family, and she is survived by all four: LaVoyd Williams II, Ft. Worth, TX; Melody (Williams) Martin and husband Jack, Dallas, TX; Debbie (Smith) Johnson and husband Gene, Edmond, OK, and Guy Smith, Oklahoma City, OK; She is also survived by eight grandchildren and their spouses: LaVoyd III, Trista (Merlin), Sinatra, Charity (Nathan), Holly (Jake), Ace, Shelley (Mike), and Amy (Lonnie), and one half-sister, Denise (Goodrich) Frazier (Darrell). Many great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, and other beloved family members and friends survive her. She is preceded in death by two half-brothers, Mark and David Goodrich. A funeral service celebrating her life and her Lord will be held on Saturday, June 25, 2016, 1:00 PM, at the Resurrection Memorial Cemetery Chapel in Oklahoma City, OK. Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim You, who walk in the light of Your presence, O Lord. They rejoice in Your name all day long; they exult in Your righteousness. For You are their glory and their strength. –Psalm 89:15-17
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