Kathryn Ann (Kathy) (Stotts) Smith

Kathryn Ann “Kathy” Smith was born November 5, 1955, in Escondido, California, to J.C. “Jake” and Patsy Stotts. She entered her heavenly home on Sunday, September 20, 2026, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, surrounded by her loving family.  Kathy graduated in Escondido, California, in 1973. Many of her childhood memories were made growing up in California with her parents and her brother, John. Kathy was a people person from an early age. Her home was the place where everyone felt welcome, and she always enjoyed having friends around.  Her family later moved to Bridgeport, Oklahoma, where they built a home on the same land where her mother, Patsy, had grown up. Moving from California to Bridgeport was quite a culture shock for Kathy, but Bridgeport became home. She went on to graduate from Caddo Kiowa Vo-Tech as a Licensed Practical Nurse in 1978.  Kathy worked at Walmart in Weatherford beginning in 1988. Her friendly and outgoing personality came naturally, and she never had trouble making people feel comfortable and welcome. In 1980, Kathy welcomed her daughter, Patty Gayle, and became a devoted mother who cherished the time she spent with her.  Kathy later met the love of her life, Hal Smith. After Hal asked her for a date, the two quickly realized they had found something special and were married just four months later on July 31, 1989. They made their home in Bridgeport near Kathy’s parents. In 1990, they welcomed their daughter, Krista Jean.  Kathy later worked in home health care, where her caring nature made her especially well suited for her work. She was a loving and compassionate caregiver, and her patients often requested her personally as their home health aide. That same caring spirit extended to her family. Whenever someone was sick or needed help, Kathy seemed to know exactly what needed to be done to make things better.  Her family was the center of her life. Kathy was a wonderful mother and the glue that helped hold her family together. She was always willing to go above and beyond to help those she loved. Family was never far away, with Patty living on one side of her, Krista on the other, and Kathleen in the middle. Kathy would make her rounds to their homes, often asking, “What can I do to make your life better?” She helped raise her grandchildren and was always there whenever her family needed her.  Kathy retired in 2010 so she could help care for her parents, J.C. and Patsy, another example of the devotion she showed throughout her life.  She enjoyed watching movies, making crafts and scrapbooks, and supporting Hal in his many projects, creative ideas, and inventive hobbies. Kathy was always working on some kind of craft or scrapbook, creating things that her family would treasure. She enjoyed seeing the things Hal created and especially treasured the things he made for her. She was raised going to church, had deep faith in the Lord, and enjoyed attending church every Sunday. Kathy was a generous person who would give her last cent if needed and she was always in a good mood, just a pure joy to everyone, never had a bad word to say about anyone she was so loving and caring.  Above all, Kathy will be remembered for the way she cared for people. Whether it was her husband, children, grandchildren, parents, patients, or friends, she was happiest when she could help someone she loved. 

Kathy is survived by her husband, Hal Smith; two daughters, Patty Smith and Krista Derry and her husband, James all of Bridgeport; and Granddaughter Kathleen Hembree and her husband, Tyler. (Kathy lovingly raised Kathleen and considered her both a daughter and granddaughter) Her grandchildren, Kacigayle Myers, Annie, Allie, and Jake Derry all of Bridgeport; two great-grandchildren, Otto Lee and Scarlett Maree Hembree; one brother, John Stotts and his wife, Becky, of Hydro; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, J.C. and Patsy Stotts, and one grandson, Dawson Douglas Derry.

Funeral services will be held Friday, September 25, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Faith Church in Hinton, with Rev. Jordan Parnell officiating. Burial will follow at Bridgeport Graceland Cemetery in Hinton, Oklahoma.

Services entrusted to Turner Funeral Home, Hinton, Oklahoma. Condolences may be sent to the family at turnerfuneralhomes@gmail.com, turnerfh.net, or you can find us on facebook.com (Turner Funeral Homes.)

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