Service Thursday for WWII Veteran J.D. Smith, Jr.

Funeral services for Jimmie Dee “JD” Smith, Jr, a Coalgate resident, will be held Thursday, July 28, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Coalgate with Pastor Jim Bob Lewis officiating. Burial will be in the Coalgate Cemetery with Brown’s Funeral Service of Coalgate in charge of arrangements. Family visitation will be Wednesday evening, 6 to 8 p.m.

JD was born on May 5, 1925, to Jimmie D. Sr. and Edith (Wheeler) Smith, at Cottonwood, OK. He passed away on July 24, 2022, at Coalgate, OK at the age of 97 years, 2 months and 19 days. JD attended Cottonwood and Coalgate Schools, graduating from Coalgate High School Class of 1943. He co-owned Smith’s Grocery Store with his brother W.H. Smith. He was also the butcher. He retired in 1990.

JD was in the Navy and bravely served in WWII. He married Vera Jeanette Colbert on March 17, 1946, at Coalgate, OK. Together they were blessed with two beautiful children. She preceded him in death. JD later married Ruthie Lee on April 13, 1990, at the First Baptist Church in Coalgate, OK. They were blessed with a combined total of five children. JD and Ruthie enjoyed 32 wonderful years together. He was a Deacon at the First Baptist Church in Coalgate where he taught Sunday School and loved singing in the choir. JD also enjoyed wood working and fishing.

Survivors include his wife, Opal Ruth “Ruthie” (Lee) Smith of the home in Coalgate, OK; children, Peggy Reed and husband Jim of Pauls Valley, OK, Nancy Jo Smith of Coleman, OK, David Brown of Boggy Depot, OK, Cindy Daniel and husband John of Coalgate, OK, Twyla Collins of Coalgate, OK; grandchildren: Cindy Jo Gammons, Susan Hart, Penny Cantley, James Patrick Purdy, Elizabeth Jean Thompson, Nathaniel, Samuel, Ruth, Joseph and Benjamin Daniel, Rachel Graham, Amber Myers, Marvin Brown, Ricki Braziell and Eric Finch; numerous great and great-great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Pat Smith of Cottonwood, OK, along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and dearly loved friends

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jimmie D. Sr. and Edith (Wheeler) Smith; wife, Vera Jeannette Smith, sister, Vaunda Knight and brother, W.H. Smith.

Casket bearers will be his grandsons.

Condolences may be sent to the family by email to: brownsfscoalgate@ sbcglobal.net. Please reference the name of the deceased in your correspondence.