Ernest Edward Smith

Ernest, also known as Red, Babe, DBL"E" and Smitty was born on July 11, 1920 in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, the son of Claude Marion and Nellie Edith (Ramsey) Smith. He was raised in Bristow, Oklahoma. On November 17, 1941, Ernest married Mary Juanita Keys in Bristow, Oklahoma. They were happily married for fifty-five years. She preceded him in death on September 8, 1996. He spent twenty years with Eunice Jackson. She preceded him in death on January 11, 2016. Ernest moved to California when he joined the Army. He later moved back to Oklahoma and worked most of his life with oilfield related services. He also had his own company, Smith & Son Inc., located in Oklahoma City. He sold and took early retirement and moved to Eufaula. He and his family spent the majority of time fishing. He was an avid hunter, especially quail and pheasant. He was a member of the masonic lodge for over fifty years. He took great pride in being a mason and a shriner. He was also proud of his service to his country in the armed forces. He was always the family man. Survivors include: his sons, Ernest Edward Smith, Jr. and wife Donna of Maumelle, Arkansas, Jimmy Joe Harjo and wife Linda of Konawa; daughter-in-law, Lorna Harjo; his daughters, LaJuana E. Patrick of Eufaula and Betty Hardgrove of Wewoka; eleven grandchildren; fifteen great grandchildren; twenty-five great great grandchildren and twenty-eight great great great grandchildren. He is also survived by his dog, Maggie, his partner through thick and thin. She will miss him greatly. Ernest was the last surviving member of the sibling group of Claude and Nellie Smith. He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Juanita; his partner, Eunice; his son, Donald Ray Harjo; his brothers, Edgar, Earl, Emerson, Theo (Joe Boy), and his sisters, Edith Sanders and Theda Gilreath.