Cora Belle Brown Smart

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