Obituary for Vinita Janet Smith

V. Janet Smith, age 90, longtime resident of Ponca City, passed away June 22, 2015 in Ponca City.

Viewing will be from 4-8PM Wednesday, and 8AM-8PM Thursday with a visitation from 6-8PM on Thursday in the historic great room at Trout Funeral Home & Crematory. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm, Friday, June 26, 2015 at the First Baptist Church with Pastor Ryan Smith of Eagle Heights Baptist Church in Stillwater officiating. Burial will then follow at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Tonkawa, OK. Casketbearers will be Neil Lamb, Coburn Veal, Kerry Smith, Brent Smith, Britton Lamb and Austin, Lamb. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory.

Janet was born on June 13, 1925 to James M. Lloyd Selvey and OliveVinita Wittmer Selvey in Ponca City, OK. She was raised in Ponca City and graduated from high school here, later receiving her associate’s degree from Northern Oklahoma College. Roger Alan Smith became her husband on September 29, 1946 in Tonkawa,Oklahoma. Janet was a home maker until 1956 when she and Roger started the Roger A. Smith, Plumbing Company. Janet helped him mainly as a bookkeeper and receptionist and did various other jobs to help the business grow. In 1990, Janet "retired", however, she continued to work part time at the plumbing office.

The church and her faith were important parts of Janet’s life. Janet joined the First Baptist Church, Ponca City in 1937. Her membership there continued her entire life, except for two years while she and Roger lived in Tonkawa. Janet served at the church in numerous positions including Sunday School Teacher for preschoolers, grade school, teenagers, and adults, as well as serving on several church committees.

Janet and Roger enjoyed traveling. They traveled through most of the states in the United States and especially enjoyed Maine, traveling up the north-eastern coast. Alaska was another destination where they took an inland tour. The travelers enjoyed visiting several Caribbean countries, also. Roger and Janet often traveled with their close friends, Richard and Vivian Cross. Janet also enjoyed sewing, doing crossword puzzles, and being with friends. She especially enjoyed being with her grandkids and watching them play in their swimming pool while they were growing up.

Janet often volunteered at the Hospice of North Central Oklahoma, doing floral arrangements, which were delivered to patients for many years.

Survivors include her son, Dan Smith and wife Julia of Ponca City, daughter, Becki Garbutt and husband Ron of Seminole, OK, grandchildren: Bart Garbutt and wife Kim of Scottsdale, AZ; Ryan Smith and wife Allison of Stillwater, OK; Jennifer Seale of Edmond, OK, and Bonnie Garbutt of Oklahoma City; great grandchildren: Reid Garbutt of Scottsdale, AZ, Autumn Hodgens of Edmond, OK, and Kelen Smith of Stillwater, OK. Preceding her in death were her parents and husband.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Hospice of North Central Oklahoma, 445 Fairview Ave., Ponca City, OK 74601.

Source: Trout Funeral Home