Ann [Smith] Calhoun

Ann [Smith] Calhoun

Funeral services for Ann Smith Calhoun, 86, of Ninnekah, Okla., are pending with McRay Funeral Home.

Ann Smith Calhoun was born July 14, 1917, and died on Sunday, June 27, 2004.

Ann [Smith] Calhoun

Funeral service for Ann Smith Calhoun, age 86, of Ninnekah, Oklahoma, will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 30, 2004, in Epworth United Methodist Church.

Annie Laura "Ann" Smith, the daughter of Della Mattie (Hendrix) and James Allen Smith, was born July 14, 1917, west of Gracemont in the Whitebread community. She died Sunday, June 27, 2004, at her home east of Ninnekah.

Ann started school at Whitebread, later attending Gracemont School. The family moved to Ninnekah in the late 1920s, where she completed high school in 1935. She attended Oklahoma College for Women in Chickasha.

While growing up in Ninnekah, her family owned the telephone company, and she worked at the telephone switchboard in the family home. She was active in 4-H and home economics activities.

She married Howard Earnest Calhoun, the son of E. E. and Kate (Scott) Calhoun, on August 10, 1940, in the parsonage of the Ninnekah Methodist Church. They were married for 55 years. The couple lived in Chickasha for a short time and Howard worked at the family business, Calhoun John Deere Dealership. They then moved to their homeplace east of Ninnekah, where they were engaged in farming, raising Herefords, small grains and alfalfa.

A lifelong Methodist, she was a member of Ninnekah United Methodist Church for many years, where she was active in church activities, taught Sunday School, and served as president of the Methodist Women. She and her husband helped build the current building. The couple later joined Epworth United Methodist Church in Chickasha, where she and her husband were members of the Wedding Ring Sunday School Class.

Ann was a member of the Ninnekah Extension Homemakers group for over 60 years, receiving county awards and serving as a county fair superintendent for over 20 years. Her awards included the county's Secretary's Award and being named "Homemaker of the Year" by her club. She received many ribbons for her baking, canning, and sewing talents. She served as 4-H Life Membership for her contributions to the organization. She was honored as Volunteer of the Year by the Grady County Fair in 1996.

She also served on the Grady County Red Cross Board, as a Farmers Union Youth Leader, and as a leader in Grady County Farmers Union, representing Oklahoma at a national convention. At least 25 Farmers Union Youth received college scholarships with her leadership assistance.

Ann was active in the Ninnekah Heritage Association and was selected as Parade Marshall for the Ninnekah Heritage Day Parade in 1998. She was a founding member of the Ninnekah Community Alliance.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard, on May 6, 1996; her parents, J. A. and Della Smith; two brothers and a sister-in-law, Raymond and Lois Smith of Duncan, Gerome Smith of Lawton; an infant sister, Velma Smith; two brothers-in-law and three sisters-in-law, Wade and Lillian Calhoun, James Wiley and Gloria Calhoun, and Ruth Calhoun.

Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law and a daughter, James Earnest "J. E." and Utonia Calhoun, and Nancy Ann Calhoun, all of Ninnekah; two granddaughters and two grandsons and their spouses, James Christopher "Chris" and Margo Calhoun of Ninnekah, Tammy Lynn and Trever Lee of Blanchard, Mary Katherine "Katie" and Jeff Waddle of Moore, and Matthew Scott Kelley; eight great grandchildren, Jeremy, Dereck, Megan, and Jakob Zane Waddle of Moore, James Aaron and Holden Lee Calhoun of Ninnekah, Dalton and Caden Calhoun Lee of Blanchard; a sister and brother-in-law, Lorraine "Babe" and Walter Hyde of Duncan; and a sister-in-law, Juanita Smith of Lawton.

Interment will be in the Ninnekah Cemetery under the direction of McRay Funeral Home. Friends and family are then invited to visit at Ninnekah United Methodist Church, Ninnekah.

Memorials may be made to: Epworth United Methodist Church, Ninnekah United Methodist Church, The United Methodist Circle of Care, the Oklahoma Lions Club Foundation, the USAO Alumni Association, National Parkinson Foundation, or the charity of the giver's choice.