Ernestine Lee Martin Smith

Ernestine Lee Martin Smith passed away at her home on March 16, 2019. She was born on March 8, 1932 in Oklahoma City to Ernest and Velma Martin of Watonga, OK.  While serving in the Air Force she met a soldier and the love of her life, Donald L. Smith, at Camp Stoneman, California.  After serving in the military they made their home in Racine, Wisconsin before returning to California where they lived for over forty years.  In 1997 she returned to live out the rest of her life in Oklahoma City where she was born.

Ernestine wore many hats and was known to friends and family as both Ernie and Lee. She was also known as Aunt Ernie, Aunt Lee, Mom and Grandma to many.  After serving in the Air Force, Ernie did what she loved most, being a homemaker, wife, mother, sister, aunt, and grandmother.  Additionally, she worked part-time as a bookkeeper for a small credit union and continued in that field of accounting as a tax preparer during the tax season.  When her children grew up and left home she became a foster parent to sisters Laurie Wagner Hess and Lisa Wagner-Mulligan who were affectionately referred to as the rent-a-kids.

Ernestine was a graduate of Putnam City High School, participated in the All Graders Alumni activities, and reconnected with a number of high school friends after moving back to the city.  She enjoyed their friendship. She was a friend to everyone she met and would easily strike up a conversation with anyone she ran into.

Predeceasing Ernestine are her parents, Ernest and Velma Martin, her husband, Donald L. Smith, sisters, Lola Montgomery, Barbara Dailey, Betty Edmondson, Katherine Grover, and June Shelton.

She is survived by her children, Donna Stocke (Richard), Linda Ochoa, Jeffrey Smith, and Barbara Stride, nine grandchildren, Angela Jones (Michael), Elizabeth Dennis (Matthew), Donald Bartel, Stephen Stocke (Jill), Jeremy Bartel (Vicky), Brian Stride (Christine), David Stride (Meryl), Lauren Westbay (Jon), and Rebecca Stride and 25 great-grandchildren.  Ernestine is also survived by two brother in laws, James Smith (Joyce) and Gary Smith (Ruth).

A graveside service for family will be held after the birth of her triplet great-grandchildren in California.

In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Youth Ministry at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 10600 N Council Road, Oklahoma City, OK 73162 or through their website at stpaulsokc.com.