Lena Smith

July 13, 2011

Lena Smith, 87, formerly of Poteau died Thursday, July 7, 2011, at Lakeview Christian Home in Carlsbad, N.M.
Lena was born Aug. 7, 1923, to George Addison and Nancy Elizabeth (Gabbard) Rice. She grew up in Oklahoma and attended school there. On Nov. 18, 1939, she married Eugene “Gene” E. Smith and following WWII they moved to Carlsbad.
She loved being a wife and mother. When the children were older, she went to work for Carlsbad Caverns for seven years. She also worked for Dimples Restaurant before opening her own, Lena’s Drive Inn. After she closed the restaurant, she provided daycare for her grandchildren. She was also involved with volunteer work and was a foster parent for two boys. She was a member of The Cactus Club at The Living Desert, Horticulture Society, Blodgett Street Baptist Church and Senior Adult Choir at Blodgett Street Baptist Church. Her hobbies included singing, crocheting, quilting and ball-point painting. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 1995; daughters, Nancy Ann Hefner and Willa Mae Pierce; grandchildren, Lyndall Gene Hefner and Johnny Pierce; and five brothers.
Survivors include her sons, Orville Smith and wife Sharon of Ardmore, Dale Smith and wife Judy of Carlsbad, and Robert Lynn Smith Sr. and wife Raelene of Carlsbad; 10 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; several great-great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; and brother, George Rice Jr. and wife Martha of Oklahoma City.
Visitation will be Wednesday, July 13, from 4-7 p.m. at Denton-Wood Funeral Home, Carlsbad.
Services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday, July 14, at Blodgett Street Baptist Church, Carlsbad, with The Rev. Bobby W. Fuller, Pastor Dave Prell and The Rev. Randy Land officiating.
Pallbearers will be Lyndall Smith, Robert Lynn Smith, Jr., Allen Hefner, Greg Smith, Cooper Smith, Captain Jeremy Hefner and Kennith Dale Smith.
Burial will be in Sunset Gardens Memorial Park, Carlsbad.
Denton-Wood Funeral Home is handling arrangements.