 West Hill Cemetery Sherman, Texas  Lee Joy Cartwright Smithart, 85, beloved mother, passed away January 24, 2019 at Texoma Medical Center. She was born November 8, 1933 in Wapanucka, Oklahoma, daughter of Ida and Wm. McKinley Cartwright. Lee Joy graduated early from high school in 1950 in Wapanucka. While in school she played basketball and worked part time at the local drug store. On December 27, 1952 at the Sherman First Baptist Church, she married Don Smithart after he returned home from serving in the Army during the Korea War. They were married 29 years when Don died at an early age. During their marriage they lived in Atoka, Oklahoma, Burbank, California, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Boise, Idaho, Denison, Texas and Howe, Texas. Lee Joy had a long career in the banking and accounting field. Working at Grayson County State Bank and then Johnson & Johnson, Inc. where she retired in 1993 after 25 years of service. After retirement she worked part time at the J & J Credit Union and at the Grayson County Courthouse in the County Clerk's office. She was a deeply religious woman and was a founding member of the Harvest Time Assembly of God in Sherman and was still attending until her health deteriorated. She also served on the Howe City Council and Planning and Zoning Board for several years. She proudly served the community by serving on election days for many years at different polling places in Grayson County. Lee Joy was the "go to" person for any family history. She knew all dates/days/names. Everyone depended on her for information about the Cartwright and Smithart families. Lee Joy was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Shirley Cartwright, Mary Ruth Cartwright, Marguerite Lowry, and Betty Haines; brothers, C.W. Cartwright, J.R. Cartwright, and Odell Cartwright. She is survived by her sisters, Annie Roark of Ada, Oklahoma; Nelda Joplin and husband, Wayne, of Ada, Oklahoma; and brother, Jerry Cartwright and wife, Janie, of Tulsa, Oklahoma; daughter, Debbie Royston of Howe; sons, Randy Smithart and wife, Arlene, of Irving, Texas; and Tim Smithart of Howe; granddaughters, Kara Royston of Anna; and Claudia Smithart of Dallas; and grandson, Donald Smithart and wife, Elizabeth, of Greer, South Carolina; great-grandsons, Charlie Royston-Johnston of Anna, Texas; and Adalee Teachey of Greer, South Carolina; brother-in-law, Clyde Haines of Woodinville, Washington; and childhood friend and sister by heart, Abbey Green Deaton of California. Graveside services were held Wednesday afternoon, January 30, 2019 at West Hill Cemetery in Sherman, Texas. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Texoma Regional Blood Center in Sherman, Texas in her name. - - - Waldo Funeral Home West Hill Cemetery Elaine Nall Bay ©2019 If you find any of Grayson County TXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |