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New Home Cemetery

Peggs, Cherokee County, Oklahoma
Coordinates: 36.06179, -95.10054

© Locust Grove Funeral Home
Submitted by: Jo Aguirre

Debra Ann (Hall) Smith

March 3, 1954 ~ October 27, 2024

Debra Ann Smith was born March 3, 1954, in Tahlequah, Oklahoma to Frankie (Warren) Drake and Dean Hall. She passed peacefully from this life on October 27, 2024, in Chouteau, Oklahoma, surrounded by her loving family at the age of 70 years, 5 months, and 24 days.

Debra grew up in both Southwest City, Missouri, and Tahlequah, Oklahoma, where she attended school and made many lifelong memories. On August 10, 1971, in Carson City, Nevada, Debra married Michael Allen Smith, Sr. in what she lovingly referred to as their “shotgun wedding.” The two spent over 53 years together, including three years living in Germany while Michael served in the military, before eventually settling in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

Throughout her life, Debra worked in various roles. From baking donuts at night to caring for others, she dedicated herself fully to each job. She worked for Simmons Foods in Southwest City, Missouri and later served her community through the OPC Resources as well as caregiving roles. Later in life, Debra enjoyed the role of homemaker, where her passion for cooking, cake decorating and baking shined. Family and friends often enjoyed her specialties, including her famous apple crumb cake, chocolate dream pie, and her famous no-bake cookies.

Debra was a tiny yet mighty woman, known for her gentle voice, and readiness to share stories from days past. She made time to serve others, helping with her children’s 4H activities when they were younger and spent some time attending the Southern Baptist Church in Peggs, Oklahoma. Debra found great joy in simple pleasures: she loved reading romance novels and westerns, tending to her potted plants, watching cooking shows, and trying out new recipes. A frequent visitor of casinos, she enjoyed playing the penny slots. Her favorite color was purple, and she held a special love for butterflies, symbols of beauty and resilience. Debra will be missed by all that knew and loved her.

Debra is survived by: her husband: Michael Allen Smith, Sr., of the home; 3 children: Michael Smith and wife Wendy of Peggs, Oklahoma; Lisa Forcum and husband Davy of Rocky Comfort, Missouri; and Eric Smith and wife Jessica of Wayne, Oklahoma; 11 grandchildren: Audrey Heckadon and Jake of Locust Grove, Oklahoma; Courtney Smith of Breckenridge, Colorado; Brynae Smith and Coleton Smith of Peggs, Oklahoma; Skylynnda Forcum and Jaymalynn Forcum of Rocky Comfort, Missouri; Rebecca Keene and husband Quintin of Anderson, Missouri; Mason Smith and wife Jaylynn of Purcell, Oklahoma; Braxton Smith of Purcell, Oklahoma, Stryker Smith and Echo Smith, both of Wayne, Oklahoma; 3 great-grandchildren: Camden Heckadon, Avery Heckadon, and Atreus Cravens-Smith. 2 sisters: Melvia Hall of Porum, Oklahoma, and Mindy Freeman and husband Chad of Carthage, Missouri; Lifelong friends: Peggy Philpott of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, and Cindy and Mike Frye of Southwest City, Missouri. Debra is preceded in death by: her parents; 1 son: James Dean Smith; 3 sisters: Linda Smith, Patricia Martin, Doris Smith, 1 brother: Kenneth “Buddy” Hall, and her stepfather: Kenny Drake.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Monday, November 4, 2024, with Pastors Mike and Cindy Frye, and Justin Jimenez officiating. Interment will follow at New Home Cemetery in Peggs, Oklahoma. Arrangements have been entrusted to Locust Grove Funeral Home, where friends and family may share memories and condolences at www.locustgrovefuneralhome.com.