Rose Smith

BENJAMIN FUNERAL SERVICE NOWATA, OKLAHOMA 918-273-2700....

Rose Marie Smith, 87, of Nowata, passed away Wednesday, October 30, 2019 at Jane Phillips Medical Center in Bartlesville. She was born September 7, 1932 in Pampa, Texas to Everett Lilburn and Neva (Barr) Lilburn. She graduated from Childers High School and continued her education studying to be a Court Reporter. Rose Marie worked for Nowata County for many years in the County prosecutor’s office which later became the District Attorney’s office. She also worked as the court reporter for over 20 years. Rose Marie was very respected for her knowledge about the law and had many attorneys seek her advice on many different problems. Upon her retirement in 1994 Bill Maddox presented her with an honorary law degree.

On August 31, 1952 Rose Marie married Donald George Smith in Nowata. They had three children, Donna, Daniel, and Robert. She enjoyed crocheting, working jigsaw puzzles, and was a very outdoors person. She loved working in her gardens raising beautiful flowers and plants. She was great at writing and telling stories. She wrote a story for each of her grandchildren and they loved hearing her tell those stories. Rose Marie was a very loving wife, mother, grandmother, and sister. She loved her family so much and she had a special place in her heart for each and every one of them. She will be missed by all who knew her.

Preceding Rose Marie in death are her parents Everett and Neva Lilburn; her husband Donald G. Smith; and siblings, Jack Lilburn, Bonnie Layton, and Katie Link.

Survivors include three children, Donna Pugh and husband Justin, of Nowata, Daniel J. Smith and wife Robbie, of Nowata, Robert D. Smith and wife Kathy, of Nowata; grandchildren, Pete Ward, Jennifer Philpott, Nick Pugh, Jeremy Smith, Danielle Workman, Kathryn Graves, Daniel Smith, Jon Smith, Whitney Akers, Jesseca Miller, Austin Akers; 14 great grandchildren; siblings Ralph Lilburn, Jim Lilburn, Mike Lilburn, Nancy Summers, and Carol Smith; many other relatives and a host of friends.

Funeral services for Rose Marie Smith will be held 10:00 a.m., Saturday, November 2, 2019 at Cornerstone Community Church in Nowata with Reverend Jeffery Rickman officiating. Burial will follow at Nowata Memorial Park. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Benjamin Funeral Service of Nowata. Online condolences may be left at www.honoringmemories.com.  Donations can be made to the Nowata County Library Nowata, Oklahoma.