Dorene Smith

Betty Dorene Smith was born in Higgins, Texas on January 26, 1949 to Harry and Betty Ruth Bay and passed from this life very unexpectedly on July 3, 2024- just 56 days after losing her own mother.
Dorene began her life living her first year of life on the family farm near Higgins until the tragic passing of her father just before her first birthday. Their little family then moved into Higgins to be nearer her grandparents. She lived happily in Higgins attending school there and sharing so many happy memories before eventually moving with her Mother and brother to Shattuck, Oklahoma in 1959 with her Mother's marriage to Theodore "Ted" Schoenhals. Dorene would always say she was blessed to have such a caring step-father enter her life when she was 10 years old.
Dorene attended Shattuck Schools where she was highly active. She enjoyed playing on the basketball team, playing a mean clarinet in the band and using any opportunity to dress up for formal occasions that she could find. She graduated from Shattuck High School in 1967. After highschool she attended business college in Oklahoma City following in her mother's footsteps of bookkeeping.
On July 4, 1965 while on a blind double date Dorene began a polite conversation with her friend's date. This chance meeting at an independence day party she met her future husband, Jackie L. Smith. Dorene would tell of meeting this dashing young farm boy from, of all places, Beaver Oklahoma. Dorene and Jack began a 60+ year relationship that day. They were soon engaged. Their relationship endured Jackie's service in the Navy overseas in Vietnam where Dorene served as a light in the darkness for Jack. The two were united in marriage on November 11, 1967 when Jack returned safely stateside. The two traversed military life in White Sands New Mexico, farm life in Logan, Oklahoma and city life in Woodward, Oklahoma. Their marriage outlasted every challenge and soaked in every joy of life for 57 precious years. They crafted many stories and shared in every experience life could throw at them including their 3 children, 12 grandchildren and 2 great grandsons.
Dorene cherished her time as a military wife, a farm wife, a mother and most especially a grandmother. She was active in the Methodist Church throughout her life where at one time she served as youth leader, and Beta Sigma Phi Sorority where she made and maintained many relationships impacting the lives of many through her multiple acts of kindness and service. In addition to being endlessly selfless Dorene was and extremely intelligent and hardworking woman working throughout her life in business, real estate and banking.
Dorene relished being a mother and grandmother never ceasing to put forward every effort to be present for every important moment of our lives. From school days, graduations, broken hearts, soccer games, weddings, and even enjoyed being drug on crazy cross country trips from Florida to California.... Hitting every Denny's along the way and beeping her way through that poor Disneyland on her motorized scooter! She never let her declining health get her down and always made sure her children and grandchildren felt loved, cared for and at home.
Dorene leaves behind a legacy of love, support and laughter. Dorene is survived by her loving and devoted husband Jackie L. Smith.
Her children Melissa (Smith) and Sean Evans of Durango, CO; Stephen and Kyla Smith of Hinton, OK; and Jeffery Smith of Woodward, OK.
Her Grandchildren: Shelby (Evans) and Dayton Davies; Morgan (Smith) and Chase Holley; Caleb Smith; Braden and Baylee Evans; Devin Smith; Bode Smith, Owen Braswell; Jentry Evans; Jude Braswell; Tinlee Smith; Alyvia Smith and Samuel Smith.
And her Great Grandsons: Jackson David Lee Davies and Kolsen Marshall Sean Davies.
In addition to her close family members she is also survived by her brother Dean Bay and wife Lisa, several nieces and nephews, extended family and countless friends.
Dorene will be remembered as a dedicated wife, a loving Mother, and caring grandmother, a thoughtful friend and, of course, a lover of all things Elvis. Her intellect, grace, kindness, love a support will be missed by all who knew her and her absence will be felt by her entire family while they navigate the loss of their light in the darkness.
Services of Dorene will be held at Billings Funeral Home Chapel on Tuesday July 9, 2024 at 2:00pm. Graveside services will follow in Elmwood Cemetery in Woodward, Oklahoma. Visitation will be held on Monday, July 8, 2024 at the funeral home from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.