Memorial services for Thaddues Teen Smith, 86 of Ada, are Friday, April 15, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at Crosspointe Church in Ada, Oklahoma. Pastor Earl Blankenship will officiate. Burial to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Public visitation is scheduled for Thursday, April 14, 2022 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Criswell Funeral Home, Ada, Oklahoma.
Thaddues Teen Keeling Smith was born on November 21, 1935 to Albert “Lee” and Lula (East) Keeling in Ada, Oklahoma. She passed away peacefully, with her children by her side, on April 9, 2022.
Thaddues spent her childhood living in the Oklahoma countryside. She was the younger of two children and would tell you her sister Wanda was her built in best friend. The two were inseparable. Thaddues attended elementary school at Union Hill. She graduated from Latta High School in May 1953.
Thaddues met the love of her life, George William Smith. The couple married on December 12, 1952. Together they raised George’s brothers Ray, Fred and Freddy and his sisters, Jean and Judy. The couple had three wonderful children, Georgie, Willie and Robbie.
In 1954, George and Thaddues began George Smith Salvage. In 1956 they added their first wrecker. The couple worked together day in and day out building a life on honesty, integrity and hard work. Thaddues knew more about cars and wreckers than most men and she wasn’t afraid to tell you so. When George passed in 1990, she continued the family business. She worked until her illness stopped her in October of 2021.
George was an honorary member of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and Thaddues was so proud of him for this honor.
Thaddues was known to be resilient in the face of adversity. She was an obedient servant to the Lord and fostered over 100 children. She was stubborn as a mule but loved hard. You didn’t mess with her family as they were her pride and joy. She had a great sense of humor and could be quite the prankster when you least expected it. She loved to laugh, sing, and play the piano and guitar. Every Sunday and Wednesday you would find her at the Highway Tabernacle Church where she was a devoted member for many, many years. She enjoyed travelling and took numerous senior citizen bus tours across the United States. Thaddues loved Christmas. It was her favorite holiday. Each year she took pride in making homemade gifts for her children and grandchildren; she would knit, embroider or craft something out of wood. Thaddues was a loyal friend and community member. She participated for 33 years in the Pat Taylor Memorial Christmas Parade. You can bet you would find her walking behind the Peterbilt handing out candy along the way. She never missed a parade.
Thaddues leaves behind a legacy of a Christian life well lived.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lee and Lula Keeling; beloved husband George; sister Wanda and brother-in-law Charles; son-in-law Mike Wegrzyn; and great-grandson Chance Ryan.
Survivors include her children, Georgie Wegrzyn, Ada, Willie Smith and wife Connie, Ada, Robbie Smith and wife Monnie, Ada; her grandchildren Shandy Wegrzyn-Smith and Corey Wigington, Ada, Randi and Justin Pope, Ada, Kimberly and Brent Riley, Edmond, Justin and Trisha Smith, Ada, Charissa and Wes Reed, Ada, Vanessa and Nick Lee, Ada, Maranda and Beau Babb, Ada, Brandon and Caitlin Smith, Ada; 16 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great-grandchildren, friend and caregiver Cindy Sellers and many friends.
Pallbearers are Justin Smith, Brandon Smith, Dylan Duke, Bret Bynum, Wes Reed, Nick Lee and Beau Babb.
Honorary pallbearers are Justin Pope, Corey Wigington, Cotey Horton, Mike Choate, Cecil Higdon, Orvil Talkington, Mark Salee and Doyle Lockard.
Those who wish, may make memorial donations to: Highway Tabernacle Community Church 6725 Hwy 3W, Ada, OK 74820.
Criswell Funeral Home, Ada
