Bobbie Jo Smith's Obituary
Bobbie Jo Smith (Maner) was born April 24, 1934 in Pawhuska, Ok to Lucille and Jess Maner She went home to heaven on September 2nd, 2022 in Tulsa, Ok. Bobbie was preceded in death by husband G. Blaine Smith, parents Lucille (Blackwell) and Jess Maner, one son Ken, siblings Virginia, Virgil, Florence, David, Gene, Delma, Charlie, half siblings Walter, Louise and Clifford. She is survived by sons Larry and wife Jan, Jim and wife Tina, Greg and wife Angela and Ken’s wife Brenda. She is also survived by 8 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, siblings Wayne, Ray, Jack and wife Pat, Shirley and husband Carl and Jesse. Many nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews and many friends.
Bobbie was raised in the Locust Grove area and was a 1952 graduate of Locust Grove High School. After graduation Bobbie moved to Tahlequah, Ok for her first real job as a telephone operator – if you are fan of the old Andy Griffith show she was a real life Sarah.
Shortly after the birth of Larry they moved to Derby, Kansas where Dad began his teaching career. During this time Jim was born. In 1958 they moved to Tulsa to begin Dad’s Oklahoma career. They first moved into a small house on Oklahoma Street followed by a house on N. Troost where Ken was born. After several years they moved to a larger house on 13th Place where Greg was born. During those years Bobbie was a stay-at-home Mom, corralling 4 boys and volunteering at school where she could. In August of 1971 we moved to a larger home on 20th Place where Mom returned to the workforce. In fact, during that school year Mom worked at Whittier Elementary, Greg attended Jones Elementary, Ken attended Whitney Junior High School, Jim attended Hale High School, Larry attended Rogers High School and Dad was principal of Memorial High School. Somehow Mom managed to keep us all fed, clothed and relative sane.
During the mid-seventies we built a family cabin on Lake Hudson. Mom relished all those family and friend outings at the lake. Between the boys, family and friends we could have as many as three different groups all hanging out. It was during this time that Mom even learned to water ski making all 6 family members water skiers. Those were truly the best of times.
During the next phase of life, the boys began to get married and start families and for Mom this was heaven on earth. While Mom truly loved her four boys, she was happiest when the daughters-in-law came along. She loved those girls as if they were her own daughters. Grandchildren just made it better! This also coincided with the early part of their retirement. Mom and Dad became part of a travel group and went on many cruises as well as trips to England, France, Germany, Russia, China and even rode an elephant in Thailand. Some of her favorite trips were those day trips they would decide on over a morning cup of coffee.
Daughters-in-law and grandchildren brought about another change in housing as Mom and Dad bought their biggest house yet. They wanted a house large enough they could have as many grandchildren as possible stay for sleepovers and just as importantly they wanted a room large enough and a table large enough for all of us to have our meals together. They had a reason to celebrate with at least one meal every month 12 months a year. When it was time to downsize, they moved to Aberdeen Heights Assisted Living where Mom lived the last 10 years of her life. During her time there she made countless friends with the residents and staff. She truly had another family while living there.
Bobbie lived a life of kindness, humility, adventure, a touch of onery and unconditional love. Much like her sisters and brothers there was nothing she couldn’t do once she decided to do it. To say she is loved and missed is an understatement. We are all better for having Bobbie Jo in our lives.
Visitation will be held 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM, Sunday, September 04, 2022, at Floral Haven Funeral Home, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held 1:00 PM, Tuesday, September 06, 2022 at Harvard Avenue Christian Church, 5502 South Harvard Avenue, Tulsa, Oklahoma.
What’s your fondest memory of Bobbie?
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Share a story where Bobbie's kindness touched your heart.
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