Bishop Funeral Home
August 30, 2014
Submitted by: Carol Spear Rice

Leslie Monroe Smith, 96, McAlester, died Saturday, August 23, 2014 at McAlester Regional Health Center. A graveside memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, August 28 at Red Oak Cemetery at Bache with Rev. Jerry Burnside officiating. Service arrangements are under the direction of Bishop Funeral Service. Leslie was born July 8, 1918 in Blanco, Oklahoma to Robert Monroe & Zella (Hopkins) Smith. As a child his family moved to Dow where he attended school. Before graduating Leslie went to work with his father in the coal mines in the Dow area. He married Ruby Williams on December 24, 1937 and they had 5 children. After 33 years he retired as a coal miner and decided to raise cattle and horses. After the death of his first wife, he married Jo Ann Dyer on April 1, 1993. They made their home in the Craig Community until moving to McAlester. One of Leslie's greatest accomplishments was seeing that his wife and his children had earned their college degrees. Leslie was a 32 degree Mason and a member of the United Coal Workers Union. Survivors include his wife: Jo Ann Smith of the home; children: Lexie McAlister & husband, Larry of McAlester, Bettie Alice Smith & husband, Mohamad Rahmon of Oklahoma City, Leslie Robert Smith & wife, Dorothy of McAlester, Richard Smith of McAlester. Also, grandchildren: Betsy Nowling, Marty Briggs, Lea L. Smith, John R. Smith, Dr. George Roso, Susan Roso, Lena Roso, Jennifer Mosley, Wayne Roy Collins, and Kelly Renee Trimm; step-grandchildren: Charity Prather, Chris Zike, and Magan Garrison step-children: Linda Jo Moore of Plano, Texas, June Kelley of Savanna; and step-grandchildren: Randell Kelley, Jenny Justice & husband, Butch, Donna Burris & husband, Jerry. He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife: Ruby (Williams) Smith on July 23, 1992; daughter: Zella Smith; granddaughters: Alice Roso and Cynthia Diane Finamore; sister: Ethel Smith; brothers: Jerry Andrew Smith and Everett Smith; great-grandchild: Christopher Roso; and a step-son: Tommy Ray Kelley.