Carleta Smith Thompson

September 24, 1950 ~ DSecember 9, 2020

© Cooper Funeral Home
(permission granted)

Submitted by: Terry Dudley

Carleta (Smith) Thompson, 70, lifelong resident of Tecumseh, Oklahoma, was called home to be in the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday, December 9, 2020 in Shawnee, Oklahoma, with her beloved husband, daughter, and son by her side.

She was born September 24, 1950 to Carl B. and Willie N. (McCullar) Smith in Shawnee, Oklahoma.

Carleta was raised west of Tecumseh and attended Tecumseh Public Schools. She graduated with the class of 1969 from Tecumseh High School. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma Baptist University in 1973 with a major in English and a minor in Home Economics. Later, while teaching full time, she earned her Master’s degree in elementary education from East Central University.

She married the love of her life, Morris Thompson, on August 21, 1970 in Seminole, Oklahoma.

Carleta was a school teacher for over 30 years, with the last 24 years at Bethel Public Schools, where she retired. She was currently teaching alternative education at Bethel. She taught hundreds of students and touched the lives of many.

She was a member of Sharon Baptist Church where she was a part of the prayer group “The Sunshine Sisters.” Carleta enjoyed gardening, cooking, fishing and her fur babies, especially Oreo. She and Morris also enjoyed a lot of time at their lake house. She was the best Nana to her grandchildren, whom she adored more than anything. Likewise, her grandchildren thought she was the best Nana in the whole world. She will be greatly missed.

She was preceded in death by parents, Carl and Willie Smith.

Those left to cherish her memory are her loving husband of 50 years, Morris Thompson of the home; one daughter and one son-in-law, Marci and Travis Stanley of Plano, TX; one son, Jeff Thompson of Tecumseh, OK; Lang Bartmess, whom she loved like a son; eight incredible grandchildren whom she loved immensely, Patrick Riley Thompson, Brandon Walker Thompson, Nathan Scott Thompson, Joseph Taylor Straughan, Hannah Bea Straughan, Shelby Nichole Stanley, Meagan McKenzie Fite, and Hannah Renea Stanley; one precious great grandchild, Paisleigh Melinda Fite; one sister and one brother-in-law, Willene and Dennis Stone of Tecumseh, OK; and numerous nieces, nephews and other loving extended family and friends.

The family would like to thank Dr. Haddad, her personal physician for over ten years, for his compassion and kindness, and the nursing staff in ICU at St. Anthony’s in Shawnee. Their attentive care and prayers will never be forgotten.

Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, December 11, 2020 at Cooper Funeral Home and continue through service time. Family and friends will gather to celebrate her life at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, December 12, 2020 at Sharon Baptist Church with Reverend Clint Dawkins officiating. Burial will follow at Tecumseh Cemetery under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh.