Barbara "Vernice" Bowles Smith was born in Baron, Oklahoma, on December 19, 1927, to Riley and Marie (Sloan) Bowles, and departed this life to be with our Lord on April 19, 2016 in Tahlequah, Oklahoma at the age of 88 years and 4 months.
She enjoyed her childhood years on Barren Fork Creek and attended school at Baron before transferring to Westville High School, where she met the love of her life, Billy Jack Smith. They were married May 9, 1947 in Tahlequah, Oklahoma and to this union, one son, Jackie Duane, and one daughter, Barbara Leinn, were born.
She worked many jobs, wearing many hats, and retired from Baldor Electric in Westville, however, her passion was being a nurse at the Westville Medical Center and caring for her patients. She was always the "Rock" of the family and caregiver for her loved ones. She loved the Lord and attended Westville First United Methodist Church. She enjoyed studying the Bible with Arnold Murray on Shepherd's Chapel, "Chapter by Chapter and Verse by Verse", learning much about her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She was very active in the community and was past Grand Worthy Matron of Westville Chapter 449 of the Eastern Stars.
She was the "Sunshine" to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. "Nana" loved each one and enjoyed watching them compete in sports, school activities, and recreation while being their Number One Cheerleader!
Vernice was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one brother, Phil Van Bowles, and grandparents: John and Betsy (Sanders) Bowles; Frank and Martha (Rowden) Sloan. She is survived by son, Jackie Duane Smith and wife, Pam, of Baron; daughter, Barbara Leinn Smith, of Westville; grandchildren, Marty Dale Hern and wife, Christy; Nathan Brant Smith and wife, Jenifer, all of Westville; and Kelly LaRae (Hern) Kirby and husband, Tim, of Springdale, Arkansas; great-grandchildren, Kelsi Leinn Kirby, William "Hunter" Hern, Piper Joan Smith, Emery Kay Smith, and Braxton Alexander Kirby; sister Wanda Holt of Sallisaw, Oklahoma; Aunt Adola Mae (Sloan) Wright of Seattle, Washington; and a host of relatives, friends and loved ones.
Final arrangements were placed under the care of Green Country Funeral Home.