Cora Belle Smart

1937 - 2025

Cora Belle Brown Smart, longtime Okmulgee resident and a current resident of Macon,
Missouri, passed away Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2025 in Macon. She was born August
26, 1937 in Mena, Arkansas to the late Luther Samuel and Mona Maye (Johnson) Garner. She
graduated from Waldron High School at eighteen years of age. Following graduation, Cora
moved to Okmulgee and lived with her sister Jean and brother-in-law, Thomas Wright. She
married Franklin Richard Lee Brown on October 20, 1955. Cora and Franklin moved from
Okmulgee due to Franklin's military career, and started a family. Throughout his career, the
family lived in Louisiana, Illinois, Michigan, Alabama, Turkey, and finally California.
Cora enjoyed crocheting, making doilies, baking and ceramics. During the holidays, Cora spent
countless hours making candies to ship back to family in Oklahoma. Cora and Franklin returned
to Okmulgee in 1977. He passed away on July 18, 1987.
Cora married Jewel Smart on February 14, 1988 and were married nineteen years before his
passing.
Cora was a faithful member of Calvary Baptist Church until moving closer to her family in Macon
in 2023.
Preceding her in death were her parents, Luther and Mona Garner; husbands, Franklin Brown
and Jewel Smart; son, Gerald Brown; grandson, Franklin Eugene Brown; sister Jean Wright
and brother-in-law, Thomas Wright; nephew, David Wright; and great nephew, Thomas Wright.
Cora is survived by her son, Rick Brown and wife Karolen; granddaughter, Amanda Williams
and husband Sam; six great grandchildren; nephew, Darrell Wright and wife Kathy; and great
nephew, David Wright.
A graveside service will be Friday, December 5, 2025 at 1:00 P.M. at the Okmulgee Cemetery.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the McClendon-Winters Funeral Home of Okmulgee,
Oklahoma. Memories, condolences, photos and videos may be shared with the family on Cora's
Tribute Page of our website. www.mcclendon-winters.com