Roberta A. (Short) Smith

Roberta A. (Short) Smith was born July 11, 1929, in Dalhart, Texas, to Melvin Isaac Short and Ruth Lucile (Heard) Short. She was welcomed into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior on February 2, 2024.

Roberta spent her first years in Cimarron County in the western Oklahoma panhandle during the worst of the Dust Bowl. At age 5, her family moved in with Roberta’s grandparents on their farm two miles west of Norman (now the corner of 24th Ave NW & Main). She attended and graduated from Norman schools then went on to the University of Oklahoma.

Roberta’s great-grandparents founded the First Christian Church of Norman where she became a member. One Palm Sunday she was at church for a college student event and met the love of her life, Gene Charles Smith. They courted and were married in that church on September 22, 1950. Their union produced 2 loving sons, Robert and Charles.

She went on to graduate from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in Home Economics. While Gene pursued his law career, the family resided at various times in Norman, Tulsa, St. Louis, Oklahoma City, McAlester, and Springfield, MO, before returning to Norman in retirement. Everywhere she lived, she was very active in church women’s groups, church choir and many other church activities, often as a leader.

Roberta had a lifetime fondness for the Norman community and was a member, Sunday school teacher and life elder of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

Roberta played the French horn and piano in high school and college. She also enjoyed exercising, running, tennis, bicycling, reading, sewing, and cooking. Some of the family favorites that Roberta cooked were her meatloaf, cherry cake, peanut brittle, and brandied cranberry sauce. Roberta and Gene traveled extensively, often visiting friends and family to maintain their close relationships.

She was preceded in death by her parents; twin brother, Robert Short; sisters, Lucile McElreath, and Mary Blanche Bohannon.

Roberta is survived by her husband of 73 years, Gene Smith of Norman, OK; sons Robert E. Smith (Briley) of Poplar Bluff, MO, and Dr. Charles M. Smith (Jennifer) of Phoenix, AZ; grandsons, Jesse Smith (Melissa), Colby Smith, Mason Smith and granddaughter, Madeline Smith; and great grandchildren, Dade, Dahlia, Teddy, Charlee, and Bodhi.