Helen ‘Jo’ Smith

Helen Jo Smith was born in Hanna on Dec. 11, 1929, to Elmer and Maud Dickerson. She passed away in Kingfisher on March 15, 2022.

Jo graduated from Checotah High School and went on to play basketball at Connors State College. She earned a teaching certificate and went on to teach firstsixth grades in a one-room schoolhouse.

One of her favorite memories was going home with each student to spend the night with their families.

While at Connors State College, she met the love of her life, Charlie Smith.

They married Dec. 24, 1949. They enjoyed 60 wonderful years of marriage until Charlie’s passing in March 2010.

This union brought a daughter, Vicki, born on April 19, 1951.

They made their home in Midwest City. Jo built her and Charlie’s home with her servant heart.

Family was everything and she loved cooking and caring for them all.

Her granddaughters fondly remember many trips to Wendy’s for a Frosty and ordering Domino’s pizza for family gatherings.

Jo enjoyed trips to Sallisaw to watch Charlie’s horses race, games of Solitaire and Old Maid and, of course, she had a true love of Dr. Pepper and sweets.

Her greatest accomplishment was being a great grandma and aunt to her “boys.”

Jo was preceded in death by her husband, Charlie; a baby daughter; her parents, Elmer and Maud; sister and brother-in-law, Ida and Bob Givens.

She is survived by her daughter, Vicki Sanders and husband Steve of Kingfisher; granddaughter Jamie and Mike Shults of Kingfisher; granddaughter Joy Ludwig of Kingfisher; great-grandson Braeden Coon and fiancé Amber of Mountain View; great-grandson Bryce Coon of Mountain View; great-grandsons Jensen and Jener Ludwig of Kingfisher; nephew Russell Givens and wife Julia, of Edmond; nephew Randy Givens and wife Pattie of Edmond; nephew Rob Givens and wife Donna of South Lake, Texas; nephew Reggie Givens and wife Sharon of Mustang; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services were 2 p.m. Saturday, March 19, at First Baptist Church in Kingfisher with interment following at Kingfisher Cemetery under the direction of Sanders Funeral Service.