Alpha "Louise" Smith

Alpha Louise Drewry Smith (Louise) was born April 3, 1929, in Chickasha, Oklahoma. She was the ninth of 10 children of William Payton Drewry and Mary Floy (Smythe) Drewry. She attended school at Butner where she excelled at basketball and her academic courses. She played post high school basketball and later traveled with her parents and sisters to California where she worked several jobs, including telephone operator. She returned to Oklahoma and married Raymond Neil Smith at Cromwell, Oklahoma, on November 11, 1948. Early in their marriage, Louise and Raymond ran two grocery stores, including what was commonly known as ‘Breedloves.’ Their first child, Wayne Neil Smith, was born on November 7, 1951. Ten years later, Louise gave birth to Peggy Louise Smith on June 1, 1961. Louise was also employed as an income tax preparer, a seamstress, a substitute teacher and lunchroom attendant. On November 27, 1978, Tyler Joe Sharber was born, and Louise and Raymond adopted him. After illness disabled Raymond, Louise faithfully and selflessly, cared for him at home until his death on January 8, 2014. No matter where she may have roamed, from California to Texas, Kansas and many towns in Oklahoma, Louise always considered Seminole as her home. A dependable participant in the Butner Public School alumni celebrations, Butner Public Schools presented Louise their Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award in June 2017. She recently was recognized as the oldest alumni attending the celebration. Louise enjoyed religious and country and western music, playing card and board games, keeping in touch with friends and family by telephone, volunteering as a Pink Lady at the Seminole Hospital, and Bingo assistant at Seminole Care and Rehab Center. In May of 2024, health issues required Louise to move into Seminole Care and Rehab Center, where she resided until her death on April 7, 2025, at the age of 96 years and 4 days.

Louise is survived by her son: Wayne Neil Smith (and Bonnie Schomp), Grandchildren: Toni Dyan Stager (and husband Thomas), Tyler Joe Sharber, Dovey Renee Ross (and husband Eric), Malinda Alayne Porter (and husband Anthony), Christopher Lang Posey (and wife Shayla) and William Edward Smith, Great Grandchildren: Elijah Page Whitt, Dovie Nicole Ross, Craig Lang Posey, James Nicholas Ross, Clayton Lang Posey, Alysa Dawn Porter, James Kole Ross, Steven Wayne Porter, Christian Hadley Dixon, Destiny Jade Sharber, Jaden Dawn Sharber, James Koltin Ross, Eli Earl Sharber, Hope Renee Posey and Zachary Maeson Clay Dixon , Great Great Grandchildren: Peggy Rose Ross and Valor Ross, Sisters: Tessy Lorene Chandler, Sister-in-Law: Leeta Drewry and numerous nieces and nephews and their families.

Louise was preceded in death by her husband: Raymond Neil Smith, her daughter: Peggy Louise Posey, Great Granddaughter: Alexis Lucille Sharber, and eight siblings.

The Memorial Service for Louise will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 12, 2025 at the Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel in Seminole with Charlie Jamison officiating. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma.