Sue Smith

Lera Sue Walker was welcomed into this world on January 12, 1943, in Sayre OK, by her parents Bob and Leola Walker and her big brother Don. She loved growing up in the small town of Sayre.
She often told stories about spending time with her cousins, the family would get together on Sundays for pot luck dinners and games. Her Dad ran the cotton gin and she spoke of times, where the kids were let of school to pick cotton during harvest. Going to church, ballgames and just having fun with her friends and family was her favorite pastime.
She graduated from Sayre High School in 1960. She received her associate degree from Sayre Junior College in 1962.
She married Danny Rae Smith on September 30, 1963, in Sayre, her mother and Dan's sister Vickie were by their side. To this union two children were born, Susan Danelle & Michael Paul. She often stated that having children is when her life became exciting as she usually had no idea what those two were up to.
Sue and Dan lived in Cheyenne OK, Vici, and Shattuck before making their home in Woodward, where they have resided for the last 51 years.
Sue was a cherished mother, Meme, teacher & friend, whose life was a testament to the power of kindness & education. For many years she had an in home day care, Danelle and Mike stated that there was a lot of kids that come through the home, they would try to name them all, but were afraid that they would miss some. She was very proud of all them and their successes in life.
Sue worked in several day cares in Woodward, & when her granddaughters were born she began keeping them in her home. Her house became a playground of Barbie's and babies. Once they were old enough to go to school, she accepted a position in Fargo Public Schools where she remained until she retired.
Sue approached teaching not merely as a job, but as a calling. Her house was a classroom of welcoming space where every child she cared for felt seen, valued & encouraged to reach their full potential. She had an uncanny ability to connect with children making learning an adventure & instilling a lifelong love for knowledge.
Sue was a member of Lincoln Baptist Church for over 30 years, she had a great love for Jesus, reading, & learning. She taught Team Kids, Vacation Bible School and participated in Sunday School, she loved her women's group of friends. She thought it was important that all children read well, get their homework done timely & know Jesus.
Sue was always up for an adventure, she traveled with Dan in the Big Truck for many miles, she told stories of all of the alligators on the highway ( they were not really alligators, only semi -truck tire parts from a blown out semi ahead).
Dan raced stock cars and for many years they were at the Crystal Beach Arena on Friday nights. In later years they traveled every Saturday to the Rodeo Opry in Oklahoma City where she loved listening to Darlin' Darla sing. She talked about the mountains, taking the kids to Red River NM and Branson MO. She loved the Baldknobbers, the Dixie Stampede, and the rollercoaster "Fire in the Hole" and " the Log Ride" at Silver Dollar City. The last trip she made to Branson she could be found on the dance floor in a Congo line.
After Sue retired, she and Dan took car rides every day listening to truck driving songs, they were "On the Road Again." Dan was always by her side, he and Danelle were her primary care givers in the last years of her life. Sue often referred to them as 'her bosses." When she was bored, she would go set in the car until someone took her for a ride, so in reality she was still the boss.
Sue journaled every day before dementia took her mind. In looking through her journals, one would realize how thankful we all should be. There were pages and pages of daily devotionals expressing her love for family, friends and life.
Sue instilled that you should always be there for your family, life is about the small things, don't spend so much time working to give them better, when all they want is your love.
We always knew that she loved us, was there for us, guiding us and helping us be good people. Enjoy what you have, when it is all said and done, the only thing people will remember is how you treated them. Always chose kindness.
Sue passed peacefully on her favorite day of the week, Sunday, November 9, 2025, at the age of 82 years, 9 months and 28 days with her family by her side.
Sue is survived by her husband of the home Dan, her two children, Danelle (Bob) Dewald, Michael (Sammie) Smith, grandchildren, Tanner, (Amanda) Campbell, Bobbie (Stetson) Tuck, Becky Milton. Austin (Caiti) Abbott & Alex Smith. Her great grandchildren, Clayton, Austin, Cody, Casha, Chaylee, Laira, Paislee, Ledger, Adelyn, & Avynn. One great great, grandchild Ana, her brother Don Walker, sister in law Lalani (Martin) Nagle. A host of nieces, nephews & friends who loved her very much.
Sue is preceded in death by her parents and her mother & father in law Paul & Gertie Ray Smith and her sister and brother in law Bob and Vickey Dunlap. Her sister in law Jackie Walker and special niece Bobbie Springer.
She leaves behind a legacy of inspiration and incredible memories. She had an infectious laugh, the most beautiful smile, gentle spirit & generous heart. She will be missed by all who knew her.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am Thursday, November 13, 2025 in the Ascent Church in Fargo with Reverend Blake Farley officiating. Burial will follow in the Cheyenne Cemetery in Cheyenne, Oklahoma. Arrangements are under the direction of Billings Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to WOOF Pet Rescue or Ascent Church in Fargo with the funeral home accepting the contributions.