Friday, April 28, 2017

Riley Smith



 Walter "Riley" Smith, 91, of Poteau, OK passed away Friday, April 28, 2017 in Poteau.  Riley was born December 13, 1925 in McAlester, OK to Riley Henson & Bella Mae (Evans) Smith.   Riley joined the Navy at the age of 17.  He served as Radar Man on landing craft in the South Pacific until the end of WWII.   Riley was the owner of the Ford Mercury Dealership in Poteau for almost 40 years. He was past president of the Oklahoma Automobile Dealers Assoc.; past president of the Rotary Club; Elder Emeritus of the First Christian Church in Poteau; a Member of the Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite, Shriners for over 50 years.  He  was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Tommy Smith; his first wife, Modena (Leard).



 Survivors include his wife, Carol (Windham) Smith of the home; daughters, Melinda Beets & husband Tommy of Oklahoma City, OK, Melissa Massey  & husband Wade of Princeton, TX; Marybeth Patterson of Siloam Springs, AR; sons, Wynn Alexander & wife Mary of Wilmington, OH, David Alexander & wife Kaye of Poteau, OK; grandchildren, Robert &  wife Misty Mead, Scott & Kevin Massey, Taylor & Joe Alexander, Shelah & Millie Cooper, Kacey & husband Josh Cousins, Blake & wife Ashley Alexander ; great grandchildren, Shay & Christian Scott, Hailey Mead, Addison Mead, Karsynn Cousins, Jet Thompson; sister, Jeanne Broome of Tucson, AZ

Services will be 10 am Tuesday, May 2, 2017  at the First Christian Church, Poteau with Rev. Gary Vancil officiating. 
The family will be at the funeral home on  Monday evening from 6-8 pm to visit with relatives & friends.
Donations may be made to:   Office of Development, Shriners Hospitals for Children,
2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607 or First Christian Church, PO Box 160, Poteau, OK 74953

2 comments:

  1. Riley Smith was as fine a man as there ever was.
    Years ago I remember that most every Memorial Day, when possible, I would see him at the cemetery in McAlester, Oklahoma. He placed wreaths on the graves of the sisters of Sam Smith; Thelma Smith, Gladys Smith, and Jeanette Ewton. He was very a family oriented, God centered, and morally guided man of the highest quality. He will be greatly missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him.
    William P. Smith, Jr., D.D.S., (Grandson of Sam Smith) and wife Anne Demopulos Smith
    I am formally of McAlester, OK; Bartlesville, OK; Cayman Brac; and now Sedona, AZ.
    Anne is formally from Shreveport, LA

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  2. So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. God Bless You. Deana Gaye (Evans) Epp Henderson Ne

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