June 28, 1941 - April 30, 2020
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Vera Ann Smith, 78, of Enid, OK, passed away Thursday morning, April 30, 2020, at home surrounded by her family.
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She was born June 28, 1941, in Miami, OK, to James Gilbert Draper and Florence Edith (Hull) Draper. She was raised and educated in southeast Kansas, mainly Coffeyville, until the age of 16 when she moved to Enid.
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Vera was united in marriage to Charles B. Elrod on March 29, 1958, in Miami, OK. To this union two daughters were born, Debbie and Sherri. The family moved to Winfield, KS, in 1972. She worked for TG&Y as Floor Manager prior to owning and operating Elrod's Appliance Sales & Service with her husband in Winfield.
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Vera married William G. Smith January 4, 1986, in Enid, OK. She worked for Heritage Cleaners and as an Area Manager for Jackson Hewitt Tax Service, retiring in 2011. She enjoyed traveling with her husband Bill.
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She was a member of several Baptist churches in Winfield and Enid. She also was a member and musician in the Kansas Old Time Fiddlers, Pickers, and Singers, winning various contests for Best Country Western Band. She was the bass player and a singer in the bands The Centennial Sound and The Country Blue Notes, playing many conventions, dances, and parades throughout KS and northern OK. She loved spending time with her friends and family and adored her grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
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She is survived by her husband Bill, of Enid; daughters Deborah Ann Owen and husband Paul, of Arkansas City, KS, and Sheryl Diane Elrod Heitman, of Enid, OK, step-daughter Shelly Stillwell, of Moore, OK; sister Donna Unruh and husband Bill, of Enid, OK, brother James Draper Jr and wife Trish, of Joplin, MO, and sister-in-law Delores Elrod, of Enid, OK; grandchildren Shawnea Stewart and husband Doug, Matthew Owen and girlfriend Crystal Shewbart, and Bradford Owen and fiance Priscilla Parker; great-grandchildren Darnel, Destiny, Darius, Danae, Douglas Stewart II, and Meya Brown-Stewart, Aidan, Kyran, and Julian Owen; Great-great-grandchild Dezmon Stewart; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Vera was looking forward to the birth in October of grandson Brad's first child. She is also survived by her beloved canine companions, Yogi, Smokey, BooBoo, and Bennie. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Allan Draper, and brother-in-law James Joseph Elrod.
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A memorial service will be held at a later date. Cremation services provided by Amy Stittsworth Funeral Services. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Circle of Love, Enid, OK.
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Obituaries are posted, in part, due to the generosity of The Commons.
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