Pat Smith

Music enthusiast Pat Smith, who was a longtime Executive Secretary to the USAO President and Board of Regents, and spouse of longtime college administrator Bill Smith, died Monday at home after a long illness. A Celebration of Life honoring her memory is scheduled at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 1, at Ferguson Funeral Home Chapel.Together with her husband, Smith hosted numerous college activities, never missed music and drama events, and supported USAO Drover sports teams at home and on the road. They traveled the world as ambassadors for Babe Ruth Baseball and as active Rotarians.“The college has had no friends more loyal than Pat Smith,” said USAO President John Feaver. “She served for many years on the executive staff and remained a faithful friend of the college during 20 years of retirement. She was a gracious host and a reinforcing agent of the liberal arts college experience.”Patricia Boyd was born July 28, 1927, in Afton, Okla., to Percy Wade Boyd and Pauline (Gogue) Boyd. She died at home on the morning of Oct. 29, surrounded by her family.Pat graduated from Miami High School in 1945, and attended Northeastern Oklahoma A and M in Miami; Midwestern University (Hardin College) in Wichita Falls, Texas; and earned a B.A. from the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in 1978.Besides her love for her family, Pat had a passion for music, whether it was playing her grand piano, dancing to the sounds of the Big Bands, listening to jazz at Preservation Hall in New Orleans, attending Broadway musicals in New York, or hearing gospel music sung by Elvis Presley.Pat was predeceased by her parents. She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Bill Smith of Chickasha, Okla., and two daughters: Kae Ray and husband Larry of Carthage, Mo.; Jan King and her husband John of Odessa, Mo. Her grandchildren are Jennifer Theis and husband Erik of Webb City, Mo; Jay Moore and his wife Jessica of Chickasha; Chandy Davidson and husband Jeff of Leeís Summit, Mo.; and Anise Thomas of Odessa, Mo. Great-grandchildren are Justin Johnson, Jakob Stratton and Adam Theis of Webb City, Mo; Jessica Moore of Fredericksburg, Va; and Colton, Chase, Cameron, Colby, Chloe, and Camille of Leeís Summit, Mo.She is survived by her sister- and brother-in-law, Carolyn and Lee Alan Leslie of Midwest City and a niece and nephew, Shannon and Eric Leslie, both of New Jersey.Visitation is scheduled from 5-7 p.m. Oct. 31, 2007, at Ferguson Funeral Home in Chickasha. A Celebration of Life is scheduled at 10 a.m. Nov. 1, 2007, at Ferguson Chapel. A graveside service is scheduled at the G.A.R. Cemetery in Miami, Okla., at 10 a.m. Nov. 2.In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in Patís name to the Bill and Pat Smith Scholar/Athlete Fund, USAO Foundation, 1727 West Alabama, Chickasha, Okla., 73018-5322.