Adalene Esther Smith


Adalene Esther Smith, former Newkirk resident, died late Saturday afternoon, Dec. 28, 2013, at her home in Sapulpa. She was 94.

A funeral has been scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 2, at Miller-Stahl Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Russell Cravens, grandson and minister of Neartown Church in Houston, Texas, officiating.

Burial will follow in Newkirk Cemetery under the direction of Miller-Stahl Funeral Service. The body will lie in state at the funeral home the day of the service.

Those serving as casket bearers will be Shawn Swenson, Noah Swenson, Chris Wilson, Russell Cravens and Robert Mitchell.

A memorial fund has been established with Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation for Breast Cancer Research. Contributions may be made in her name through Eastman National Bank, Box 468, Newkirk OK 74647-0468.

Adalene Esther Smith was born Feb. 7, 1919, in Medford, the daughter of James H. and Eulah Grizell Carpenter Abbott.

She grew up and received her education in Medford, graduating with the class of 1937.

On Jan. 4, 1939, she and Joe Edwon Sutherland were married in Arkansas City, Kan. They established their first home in Newkirk where they lived until his death July 8, 1964.

She married the Rev. Delbert E. Smith, Nov. 4, 1966, in Newkirk. They made their home in Newkirk until 1970 when they moved to Beaver. His ministry also took them to Haskell, South Haven, Kan., and Red Rock. In 1971, they returned to Newkirk where they lived until his death March 16, 1995.

She was employed at Jene's Café in Newkirk, taught Kindergarten and she was a house parent at American Legion Children's Home in Ponca City.

Adalene was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Newkirk and she taught the adult ladies Sunday School and children's classes. She also sang in the church choir. She was a member of Women's Missionary Union and often taught lessons. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, reading, fishing and camping. She loved being a homemaker for her family.

Adalene is survived by her daughter, Edwina Wilson, of Supulpa; a step daughter, Donetta Werhan; seven grandchildren; numerous great, step-great, and great-great grandchildren.

In addition to her two husbands, she was preceded in death by her parents; her nine brothers, Pearl, Wayne, Kenneth, Jimmie, Veldon, Clifford, Warren, Hardy and Wayland Abbott; two sisters, June Dean and Geraldine Abbott; and one grandchild, David Swinson.