Jeanette Ann (Behler) Smith
Jun 14, 1924 - Apr 1, 2014
Posted by Janet Laubhan Flickinger

http://www.havenbrookfuneralhome.com/

Jeanette Ann Smith, 89, of Norman, Oklahoma was born on Flag Day, June 14, 1924 in Carmi, Illinois to Ben J. and Hattie (Puckett) Behler. She passed away Tuesday, April 1, 2014 in Norman. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Floyd; two sisters, Rose Questell and Helen Matsel; and a brother, Ben Joe Behler.

Jeanette was raised in Carmi and graduated from Carmi Township High School in 1942. After World War II, she met and married Floyd Smith. They moved to Norman where Jeanette helped put her husband Floyd through school at the University of Oklahoma. While there Floyd and Jeanette and their two children lived in Sooner City. Jeanette worked as secretary for Dean Rackley, dean of the law school.

Most of their married life, Floyd and Jeanette lived in Houston, Texas; Lafayette, Louisiana; and Norman. During this period, they had two more children. They retired to Norman in 1985, and Jeanette went to work at the Goddard Health Clinic at OU. She loved the students, especially the football players, who called her “Grandma”.

Jeanette was a passionate OU sports fan, particularly football and basketball. In her opinion, OU never committed a penalty or foul - it was always the ref’s fault. She had season tickets to OU football games since the early 1970’s.

She attended the University Lutheran Church and Student Center in Norman, but was a life-long member of the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Carmi, Illinois which became affiliated with the Methodist Church.

Jeanette loved to crochet, do crossword puzzles, watching the Game Show Network, working in the yard, watching the birds, and her beloved Sooners.

She is survived by her sister, Mary Alice Brashier; brother, Richard Behler and wife Jewell; daughter, Sidney Lowery; three sons, Steven and wife Ann, Martin and wife Darlene, and Todd and wife Laura; six grandchildren, Stephanie Lowery, Stacey Blackwood, Joanna Kellogg, Erica Smith, Heather Smith, and Rachel Smith; and two great-grandchildren, Shelby Blackwood and Alexei Kellogg.

Visitation for Jeanette will be from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m, Thursday, April 3, 2014 at the Havenbrook Funeral Home, 3401 Havenbrook Street in Norman with family receiving friends. Funeral services will begin at 10:00 a.m., Friday, April 4, 2014 at the Havenbrook Funeral Home Chapel with interment following at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery in Norman. 

Arrangements for Jeannette and her family were placed in the care of the Vice family at the Havenbrook Funeral Home of Norman.

Online condolences may be shared at www.HavenbrookFuneralHome.com.