Betty Jo Smith

Betty Jo Smith, 88 years old, of Hominy, OK, passed away on the 27th of November, 2018 at her home place in Hominy.

Betty was born in Hominy, OK on September 14th of 1930 to Ernest and Irene Cox. She lived through the Great Depression at the Cox Family Farm west of Hominy, where she learned to farm, can, sew and keep a home as well as taming a coyote as a childhood pet. Though times were hard, those passing by during the Great Depression looking for food were always fed; even if all they were given was bread and sorghum.

At sixteen Betty married John Ferguson in Sedan, KS in October of 1946. They returned to Hominy from their wedding to The Chivalry where she was pushed down Main Street in a wheel-barrel dressed in her wedding gown. Betty and John lived on the Ferguson Ranch at Grey horse for seven years before she gave birth to her first born, John Franklin Ferguson in 1952. Two years later she gave birth to Rebecca Lynn Ferguson in 1954. Betty's husband John Ferguson passed away in August of 1961. Betty and her children resided in Fairfax for three years before moving back to Hominy to raise her children.

Betty remarried in 1973 to Bill C. W. Smith. Together they owned and worked the Smith Sand Plant Company, where Betty was known to be one of the best front-in loader operators. They later adventured into starting the Big Bend Oil Company, where Betty took over managing and bookkeeping as well as gauging the tanks after Bill took ill.

Betty is survived by her daughter Rebecca Ferguson, and grandchildren Shawn Whited, DJ Whited, Laura Hanson, Wes Ferguson, Dan Ferguson, and Joe Ferguson; and her nine great grandchildren; her siblings, Dewey Cox, Ann Willhite, Malinda Ford, Bobby Cox and her two nieces and five nephews.

Betty was preceded in death by her son John Ferguson; her parents Earnest and Irene Cox; her sister May Cox; as well as her husbands.

The funeral service was held at 2pm, December, 1st at Powell Funeral Home with Wayne Brown officiating. Pallbearers were: Shawn Whited, DJ Whited, Laura Hanson, Wes Ferguson, Dan Ferguson and Gary Cox. Honorary Pallbearers were: Mika Ford. Musical selections were: "When We All Get To Heaven", "I'll Fly Away," and Willie Nelson's "Something You Get Through." Vocalists Sonie Brown, Jennifer Casey and Christal Whited Sang, "It is Well." Burial followed the services at the Cemetery in Fairfax, Oklahoma.

Powell Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. Online condolences and memories may be left in the guestbook at PowellFuneralService.com.

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