Billie Fern Smith

Billie Fern Smith

(Granny Billie)

October 16, 1941 – October 31, 2025

Billie was born on October 16, 1941, in Stidham, Oklahoma to Woodrow Wilson and Willie Lorene McClendon. She was their second child, having an older brother who passed away when he was an infant. Her younger brother, Larry, was born a couple of years later.

At eight years of age, Willie, Billie, and Larry moved to Bullfrog Valley, Arkansas where they lived with her beloved Grandpa and Granny Shay. Some of Billie’s most cherished memories were of growing up on the farm. She delighted in telling stories of chores and adventures, where she learned the skills that developed her into the caregiver and matriarch of her family. Later, Willie married Donald Ray Burnett and the family moved to Oklahoma City. In the next five years, the family grew and Billie and Larry gained three more siblings; Donna, Mark, and Damon.

After graduating from Northeast High School in 1958 on a Thursday, she began working the following Monday at Southwestern Bell in downtown Oklahoma City. She worked steadily in various administrative positions until her retirement as a Benefits Specialist from the City of Oklahoma City in 2003. When Billie was 21, she married the love of her life, Rowland (Smitty) Embry Smith and celebrated 58 years of marriage until he went to live with the Lord in July of 2021. They had three daughters: Christi, Shelly, and Stacy.

Billie was first a faithful Christian, serving as a member of Blue Lakes Baptist Church for over 50 years in numerous roles. She devoted her life to the Lord, her husband, her daughters and their families, her extended family, and countless friends. Her grandkids were her pride and joy, letting everyone know how proud she was of them every chance she got. Her hobbies included reading, sewing, cooking, baking, the Cleveland County Extension Club, basically anything that involved fellowshipping, and feeding others! You could always find her drinking coffee, watching her birds, playing dominos, watching Hallmark movies…all with her “lips” on! Billie was the consummate caregiver, blessing everyone through her wisdom, prayers, generosity, and hospitality. She had a genuine interest in people, constantly looking for ways to connect and encourage. The strength and humility she exuded throughout her life shines through everyone who knew her.

Survivors include her three daughters; Christi Hinds and her children, Joshua and Meggan; Shelly White and husband Mark, children Abby, husband Storme and future great-grandson Bennett James, and Logan; Stacy Aguilera and husband Tony, children Hayden and Gracelyn; sister, Donna Kay Maag; brother and wife, Mark and Desly Burnett; brother and wife, Damon and Nancy Burnett; and a host of beloved family and friends.