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Services for Mrs. LaWanda Medlock Smith, 87, of Durant, Oklahoma will be held on Saturday, May 6th, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Milburn First Baptist Church with Brother Mark McGehee officiating. LaWanda passed away on April 28th, 2023, in Durant. LaWanda was born January 11, 1936, in Maud, Oklahoma, to Gilbert Rufus (Doug) and Euvle Faye (Cindy) LaFevers Medlock. They lived in several places during the first years of her life, including Healdton, Stratford, and Fittstown among others, sometimes for a month or less, because her father Doug was employed as a driller for Magnolia Oil Company. The Medlock family moved to Milburn in 1940 seeking a more stable life and purchased a farm on Blue River. LaWanda married Bobby Jack Smith on October 9th, 1953, in Sherman, TX. Bobby and LaWanda moved to Hobbs, New Mexico, after graduation from high school. In Hobbs, she learned accounting and worked as a bookkeeper. After Bobby finished his service in the Army they came back home to Milburn. LaWanda worked as an office manager at Johnston Memorial Hospital for seven years and one year as assistant director of the poverty program. In 1962, LaWanda was appointed Postmaster for Milburn where she served until 1991 when she transferred to become the Postmaster at Maud, OK. She retired from Maud in 1992. After a few years in retirement with Bobby, she un-retired. First working for the Chamber of Commerce in Tishomingo and then as a payroll manager for Sundowner Trailers in Coleman for several years. LaWanda was very active in the Milburn and Johnston County communities. She loved playing cards or dominoes with her friends. The “games” were a standard weekend event for over 30 years. She cherished her friends and family. LaWanda served as the secretary-treasurer for the Condon Grove Cemetery where she took great pride in the improvements made during her time. She moved to Durant in 2012 and lived at home until shortly before passing. In Durant, she made new friends and “games” continued. She very much looked forward to when visitors would come over to play cards. She was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters, Joan Bailey, Joyce Lockwood, and twin LeNeta Dodd, husband Bobby Jack Smith, and son Jon Smith. She is survived by her son, Tim Smith and wife Gina of Durant, grandchildren, CeCelia Coppedge, Jake Smith and Josh Smith along with a host of other family, friends and loved ones. Shortly after moving to Milburn, her parents joined the Milburn First Baptist Church in the early 1940’s and spent the rest of their life here. LaWanda made a profession of Faith when she was 13. After about 13 years of conviction and indecision, she finally surrendered completely to the Lord. When younger, LaWanda taught Sunday School and Bible School, but finally decided it was not her calling. Later she devoted herself to music and to elder ministries or to whatever place she was needed. LaWanda played the piano at Milburn First Baptist Church for many years. Family night will be on Friday, May 5th, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at DeArman-Clark Funeral Home in Tishomingo. The service will be held on Saturday, May 6th, at 11:00 a.m. at the Milburn First Baptist Church followed by a graveside service at Condon Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorial donations in LaWanda’s memory be made to the Milburn First Baptist Church, Box 277, Milburn, OK 73450.

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Mrs. LaWanda Medlock Smith

January 11, 1936 - April 28, 2023