Sylvia L. "Cherry" Smith

Sylvia Leona Allen Smith, “Cherry,” was born May 28, 1930, to Jesse James Allen and Eunice Leona (Hook) Allen, in their home in Quinton, OK. She passed from this life on July 4, 2016 in her home in Oklahoma City, OK.

The oldest of 13 children (5 girls & 8 boys), she moved with her parents and siblings from Quinton to California on several occasions and attended 13 schools in 12 years of learning. She graduated from Crowder High School, Crowder, OK in 1949.

Cherry married the love of her life, Gilbert Smith, on July 27, 1949. They celebrated 45 years of marriage until Gilbert’s death on May 1, 1995. Together they raised two children, Sylvia Mae Smith and Gilbert Ray Smith. She loved her family and was a faithful servant to her church, where she was active in WMU, VBS, and Whiz Kids. She loved to bake cookies and was the Snack Lady because her cookies were wanted by all, particularly the children. She was a past president of the Faith Class at Baptist Temple Church. Cherry was baptized, along with Gilbert, Sylvia Mae and Gilbert Ray on February 12, 1967 to the Baptist faith, though Cherry became a believer at the age of 17. She also enjoyed gardening, sewing for her family, crocheting, reading, music, square dancing, traveling, and cooking and trying out new recipes. Of all these things, Cherry loved her Lord the most.

Cherry is preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband, and her brother, Johnny Allen of Disney, OK. She is survived by sisters Shirley Carter and husband Riley of Ogden, Utah; Betty Rowe of Bethany, OK; Rachel Holder and husband Ronnie of Blanchard, OK; and June Bussing and husband Ferrell of Dibble, OK; brothers Edward Allen and wife June of McAlester, James Allen and wife Sharon of Florence, CO; Fred Allen and wife Delores of Blocker, OK; Charles Allen and wife Lillian of Blocker, OK; Jimmy Allen of Blocker, OK; Donald Allen of McAlester, OK; and Floyd Allen and wife Rita of Tuttle, OK; daughter Sylvia Mae Smith of OKC; son Gilbert Ray Smith and wife Tena of Blanchard, OK; and “adopted” son, John Lee Edwards. She was the proud Grandma of 4 girls, Heather Marshall and husband Shane of Seminole, OK; Hollie Taylor and husband Richard of Seminole, OK; Sarah Simmons and husband Jarrod of Washington, OK; and Rachel Rittenhouse and husband Craig of Edmond, OK. Grandma Cherry was equally proud of her 11 great-grandchildren, Kolten Kiker, Kendell Kiker, Bryce Marshall, Jordan Marshall of Seminole, OK; Mallorie Smith, Blake McGrail, Jorden Taylor, and Bethani Taylor of Seminole, OK; Elizabeth Simmons, Andrew Simmons, and Rebekah Simmons of Washington, OK. Grandma Cherry was anxiously awaiting the arrival of great-grandchild #12, Leona Kay Rittenhouse due in November. Additional survivors include many other loving family members and friends.

Cherry will be remembered as a loving and caring woman who loved God, her family and friends. She will be missed deeply.

Services will be held on Friday, July 8, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at Baptist Temple Church in Oklahoma City with a brief graveside service and interment at Palestine Cemetery in Quinton, OK at 4:00 p.m. Arrangements are under the direction of Guardian Funeral Homes, West Chapel, Oklahoma City, OK. Memorial donations may be made in Cherry’s name to the Baptist Temple Church, 2433 N.W. 30th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73112. Online obituary and guestbook are available at www.guardianwestfuneralchapel.com.