Norma June Smith was born March 11, 1926, in Lovell, OK to H. C. and Ruby (Elrod) Wehrenberg. She passed away on February 13, 2011, at home in Poteau, OK.
Norma Smith was retired from 30 years of teaching, with 25 of those years at Poteau High School. She taught English, Literature, Speech, and Drama. She sponsored, supervised, and directed students in theatrical productions, speech and debate contests, and mock trial contests, often advancing to area and state competitions. She was awarded Teacher of the Year and a Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.
Norma was active in several organizations, including the Good Times Community Theatre League which she founded, Seniors Only where she served as a hostess for several trips, AARP, LeFlore County and Oklahoma Retired Teachers organizations, Delta Kappa Gamma, Friends of the Library, and the Red Cross. Her volunteer work for the Red Cross has been both local and statewide when necessary. In all of these organizations, she held leadership positions and volunteered on numerous committees. She delivered Meals on Wheels and was the camp secretary for Modern Woodmen for many years.
A member of the First Presbyterian Church, she served as an Elder, a Commissioned Lay Preacher, Hunger Action Enabler, and was honored with a Lifetime membership in the Presbyterian Women. She served as a delegate to the Presbyterian General Assembly and the Presbyterian International Women’s Gatherings. Through the Methodist Volunteers in Mission, Norma traveled to Alaska and to Mexico to teach Bible School and work on renovation projects in these areas.
Norma is survived by five daughters and their husbands, Becky and Bill Harned, Bethany, OK, Sharon and George Crawford, Muskogee, OK, Rosemary and Carl Underwood, Charleston, AR, Beth and Richard Peck, Poteau, OK, and Shera and Jim Garber, DeQuincy, LA; grandchildren Bill Harned Jr.(Paula), Kim Cox (Aaron), Brian Crawford (Crystal), Clint Crawford, Amber Vreeland (Travis), Zachary Underwood (Kerry), Joshua Underwood (Jessica), Tyler Underwood, Amanda Townley (Michael), Steve Peck (Regina), Lauren Peck, Preston Jowers, Summer Sea, Tammy Thompson (Koley), and Brandon Sea (Ashley); 13 great-grandchildren; sister Shirley Deter, Guthrie, OK; extended family and many friends.
Services are under the direction of Evans-Miller Funeral Home with Rev. Zachary Underwood and Brother George Crawford officiating. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, February 16 at 10 a.m. at Evans Miller Funeral Home Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be contributed to The Good Times Community Theatre League, 207 S. McKenna Poteau, OK 74953.