Delora Faye Smith Obituary (1930 - 2015)

DELORA "SNOOKIE" BUSCH SMITH died early Wednesday of Ramsay Hunt syndrome. Delora was born October 7, 1930 in Lackawanna, NY to Walter and Hazel (Durkee) Busch. She was the eldest child and the only daughter of four children. At the age of 3, the family moved back to Tulsa where Walter eventually joined the Tulsa Police Department. Delora attended Mar Twin Elementary School, Roosevelt Jr. High School, and graduated from Central High School in 19489. She married Omer Lee Smith in December of the same year. In 1950, Delora and Omer welcomed their first daughter, Diana. Their second daughter, Donna, was born four years later. Their youngest daughter, Debbie, completed their family in 1957. The Smith family made many wonderful memories camping at Lake Tenkiller, including picnics, cookouts and lawn games after dinner. Predominately, their family life revolved around the church activities at Hale Baptist Church. A self-taught seamstress, Delora made all of her daughters' clothes while also sewing for family friends and weddings. She joyfully opened her home for extended family gatherings and holidays. Delora always had an abundance of home-cooked food ready to feed any army that might drop by. Her most famous dish being the delicious Chocolate Gravy. Delora loved music. She sang solos at Hale Baptist and was a member of the sanctuary choir at First Baptist Tulsa. She would also gather the family around the piano for a few gospel tunes. As her daughters grew and college loomed, Delora went to work at AAA Auto Club where her part-time job grew into a full-time career lasting nearly 30 years. When thinking of Delora, two words come to mind: perseverance and faith. Her strong faith helped her through many tragedies during her life: losing her father at age 14 (killed in the line of duty), becoming a widow at the age of 47, and suffering the loss of her middle daughter, Donna, in 1998. Without hesitation, Delora took on the responsibility of raising Donna's two young sons at the age of 67. Delora was a loving wife, a wonderful mother, and a very doting grandmother. "Grandma Snookie" made many special memories with each of her seven grandchildren. To her further delight, in the last ten years, she became known as "GG" to 10 great-grandchildren. Delora was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother "Sonny" Busch, daughter Donna Smith-Farr, and son-in-law Randy Bodenhamer. She is survived by her brothers: Charles Busch, and wife, Peggy; Bill Busch, and wife, Sharon. Daughters: Diana Benien, and husband, Jim; Debbie Bodenhamer. Grandchildren: Mat Boyd, and wife, Kira; Andrew Farr; Casey Stiles, and husband Billy; Casidy McNally, and husband, Tyler; Blythe Meeker, and husband, Blake; Adam Farr; Abby Bodenhamer. Step-Grandchildren: Michael Benien, and wife, Susan; Lacie Franklin, and husband, Steve; Brittany Morales, and husband, Arturo. There will be a celebration of her life at First Baptist Church of Tulsa on Monday, June 29, 2015 at 2:00 pm. A graveside service for the family will take place at 11:00 am in Woodland Memorial Cemetery. The family would like to thank the University Village community and the wonderful doctors and nurses of the St. John's Medical Center ICU.