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Waltena Sue “Tena” (Monigold) Smith, 65, of Blanchard, went to be with her Lord and Savior on December 9, 2022 in Norman, Oklahoma. The daughter of Walter Monigold and Mabel Louise (Barham) Monigold Franklin, Tena was born in Pawhuska, Oklahoma on April 16, 1957.
Tena grew up in Pawhuska, where as a child she was involved in dance and swimming. As a high school student, Tena was a part of the band and theatre. While in college, Tena worked as a summer staff member of the YMCA camp in the Rocky Mountains. After graduating from Oklahoma State University in 1978 with her Bachelor’s degree in Broadcasting; she moved to the Oklahoma City metro area where she met Gilbert Ray “Gil” Smith while working with the Jaycees. Tena’s pet project to raise money for was St. Jude’s Hospital. She and Gil married on March 3, 1984. Tena worked for Channel 9 News as a film editor for nine years and retired from the University of Oklahoma as a Research Administrator after 26 years of service. Gil and Tena also owned a restaurant in Moore called Poppa Johns. They moved to Blanchard in 1986 to make their home. Tena was very involved in 4H when her girls were growing up and volunteered with ECHO Oklahoma and Community Education of McClain County. Tena loved traveling and going on Cruises. Her last cruise she took in 2018 with Gil and family was to the Panama Canal. Gil and Tena were charter members of Agape Baptist Church since 2001 and she was the head cook for the Falls Creek Youth Camp for several years. Tena loved game shows including Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. She would beat you to the answer every time! She was known for working the Sunday Crossword Puzzle in ink! Tena loved her children and grandchildren with a passion, and they were her life. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Tena is preceded in death by her parents; half-brother, Keith Webb; and parents-in-law, Gilbert and Sylvia “Cherry” Smith.
Tena is survived by her loving husband of 38 years, Gil Smith of Blanchard; four daughters, Sarah Simmons and husband Jarrod of Purcell, Rachel Rittenhouse and husband Craig of Park Hill, Oklahoma, Heather Marshall and husband Shane of Seminole, and Hollie Taylor of Seminole; grandchildren, Elizabeth, Andrew, Rebekah, John, Lily, Leona, Trip, Kolten, Kendell, Bryce, Jordan, Mallorie, and Blake; one great grandson, Waylon; half-brother, Leon Webb and wife Thelma of Nelagoney, Oklahoma; sister-in-law, Sylvia “Mae” Smith of Oklahoma City; and a host of other loving family members and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family ask that donations be made to St. Jude’s Children Hospital in Tena’s name.
Memorial services for Tena will be held at 11:00 A.M., Monday, December 19, 2022, at the Eisenhour Funeral Home Chapel in Blanchard. Arrangements are under the direction of Eisenhour Funeral Home of Blanchard. Online obituary and guestbook are available at www.eisenhourfh.com.
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