Memorial service for Mary Jo Smith will be 10:00 A.M. Saturday, May 13, 2017 in the Boulevard Congregational & Christian Church with Dr. Ralph Alexander, pastor officiating.

Arrangements are under the direction of Becker-Rabon Funeral Home.

Mary Jo Smith, 91, Lawton passed away Monday, January 23, 2017 in Lawton.  Mary Josephine Botkin was born May 3, 1925 in Topeka, KS to Clark and Willie Botkin, who brought their family of seven to Lawton in 1934.  She graduated from Lawton High School in 1943, went one year to Cameron College, and then graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1947 with a degree in Journalism.  She was soon after employed by the Lawton Constitution as a reporter and proof reader during the Ned Shepler era.  She married Wayne Smith on April 23, 1949 and had four children.  She was an early member and leader of the Junior Service League of Lawton, PEO, The Lawton Shakespeare Club and was President of the Lawton Philharmonic in 1986.  She also co-chaired (with Wayne) the Fund Drive for the United Way in 1988.  She loved children and was always promoting healthy activities, education and strong cultural and community values.  She was one of the original carpooling moms who shuttled children to schools, many arts and sports events and  sewed many costumes for recitals.  She was one of a group of progressive-thinking women in Lawton who helped initiate Arts For All and it's festival, the Lawton Philharmonic Orchestra, the Lawton Breast X-ray Clinic (now the Breast Center), and the Lawton Community Theatre.  She and Wayne received the Governor's Arts Award for Community Service in 1984.

She is survived by three children, Lisa Smith and Marty Silberman of Brooklyn, NY, Jeff and Alice Smith of Lawton, Clark Smith of Lawton, six grandchildren, Emily Smith of Lawton, Ryan and Stephanie Smith of Edmond, Zachary Smith of Oklahoma City, Amanda and Pat Ball of Queens, NY, Renee Murdock of Brooklyn, NY, Henry Murdock of Brooklyn, NY, one great grandchild, Mason Smith of Edmond, OK and numerous other nieces, nephews and their families from the Botkin Clan.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Wayne A. Smith, her parents, four brothers, Leroy, Dwight, Jack and Sam Botkin, and her eldest daughter Meredith Renee Smith.