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Katherine “ Kappy” Smith, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at Dunaway Manor, Guymon, OK. Her family rejoices that she is no longer in pain. Her eyesight and hearing have been totally restored and she can walk again. She can even dance if she wants to.
Kappy’s maternal grandparents, Sam and Mary Gurwell and her paternal grandparents, Rollin and Rhoda Whitney both homesteaded in Texas County. She was the sixth of thirteen children born to Leon C and Dottie Viola (Gurwell) Whitney, a family recognized as the largest in Texas County at one time.
Kappy was born in Guymon on December 30, 1922 and she was honored by her children and family with a birthday party on December 31, recognizing her on achieving her milestone 100th birthday. She was proud of her community and was known by many, many people, a number whom have called her their second mother.
Kappy married the love of her life, DeWitt “Dud” Smith on December 24, 1938 and they were well known in Guymon. Both of them had a servant’s heart, and while Dud was very active in the community, Kappy served others through her church, friendships and caring for many ill friends. She babysat many children through the years. In churches she was involved in “cradle roll”, caring for infants. She had such a love for babies and children and she saw this as her calling.
Kappy and Dud raised seven children, but also opened their doors to four nieces and nephews, who lived with them for up to two years. Their door was always open for anyone who wanted to visit. If it was mealtime there was always a place at the table for them. They loved having family and friends eat with them and it was not unusual for there to be 30-40 at their house for Thanksgiving and Christmas meals and celebrations.
Kappy was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 66 years, and 10 siblings who were all born in Guymon. She is survived by her children, Larry (Cheryl), Fresno, TX, David (Tammy), Katy, TX, Russell (Cheryl), Liberal, KS, Leslie (Ta), Guymon, Steven (Sonya), Goodwell, OK, and Malenda (Beau) Line, Elkhart, KS, 12 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, and numerous step grandchildren and step great grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters, Dorothy Whitney Hall, Salinas, CA and Madene McCormick, Oklahoma City, OK and many nephews and nieces.
Kappy will be missed but her family will remember the good legacy of a loving family, service to others, and many memories, both of her and her siblings.
The family will greet friends at the Bunch - Roberts Funeral Home on Sunday, February 26th from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Funeral services will be conducted Monday morning, February 27th at 11:00 a.m. at the Northridge Free Will Baptist Church, 1738 N. Oklahoma in Guymon with Pastor Stacy Ross officiating. Interment will follow at the Elmhurst Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be sent to Bunch-Roberts Funeral Home for Dunaway Manor or to Northridge Free Will Baptist Church, Guymon. Memorials will be accepted at Bunch - Roberts Funeral Home, PO Box 1112, Guymon, OK 73942. Friends can sign the online guestbook and leave condolences at www.bunchroberts.com.
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