Orpha Darlene (Whitsett) Smith passed away peacefully on December 25, 2013, at Mercy Health Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, at the age of 86. She was born in Hammond, Oklahoma, to Elbert Lee and Verna Vanetta Whitsett.

Darlene married Rodger Aldene Smith on March 6, 1946, in Wichita Falls, Texas. They were married for sixty-four years until his death on February 13, 2010. Aldene served in the military for twenty-three years. During that time, while traveling all over the United States with her children and husband, she acquired many friends, with whom she remained in contact throughout the years. Darlene and Aldene eventually established their home in Ryan, Oklahoma, in 1964 where Darlene maintained her residency after Aldene's passing, though she was staying with family at the time of her death. While in Ryan, she enjoyed the close friendship of many people. Darlene loved her time most of all spent with her children, grandchildren, and friends. She had a great sense of humor and always enjoyed joking around with everyone. Those who knew her best would attest to the fact that she loved life and availed herself of every opportunity for a good time. She was also a spiritual person who was a member of the Assembly of God church. She maintained a very personal relationship with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Clarence and Alton Whitsett; her husband, Aldene; two sons, Walter David Smith and Rodger Lee Smith; and granddaughter Victoria Renee Spiers.

She is survived by son, Jerry D. Smith and wife, Janice of Leon, Kansas; Geraldene Harmon of Azle, Texas; Alice McDonald of Central, Oklahoma; Dora Anne Huff and husband Terry of Oklahoma City; daughter-in-law Peggy Smith; thirteen grandchildren, twenty-seven great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren.

Services will be held on December 28, 2013, at 1:00 p.m. at the Assembly of God Church in Ryan, Oklahoma with Rev. Paul Ratliff officiating. Burial will follow at the Ryan Cemetery under the direction of Dudley Funeral Home.

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