Obera Loretta Smith

Obera Mann Smith, 78, of Jefferson City, made her journey home to be with God on Tuesday, December 9, 2014, at Jefferson City Manor Care Center. She was born on April 14, 1936, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the daughter of the late Obie and Gertrude Knowles Mann. She was married on December 23, 1956, in Tulsa to Carl North Smith who preceded her in death on July 19, 2006. A graduate of Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa, Mrs. Smith attended Lincoln University where she studied music. She was employed for twenty-seven years as a switchboard operator at the former Memorial Community Hospital. Mrs. Smith was a member of Second Baptist Church, American Legion Auxiliary, the Jefferson City Jaycee Jills, and was an Avon representative for several years. In addition to her great love of music, she was a role model of true selflessness to many Jefferson City children over the years. She was especially known for her many birthday cards to friends, family, and area children. Survivors include four children, Phaedra (Joseph) Hardaway, Jefferson City; Pilar McKinney, Chicago, Illinois; Carl N. Smith, II, Jefferson City; and Pari Smith, St. Louis; eight grandchildren, Joseph, Kearston, Karissa, and Joshua Hardaway; Jela, Jiri, and Brandon McKinney; and Rory Smith; one sister, Antoinette Dobson, Indianapolis, Indiana; three nephews, Devlin Dobson, Indianapolis; Ivan T. Smith, II, Merriville, Indiana; and Brian T. (Natalie) Smith, Edison, New Jersey; one niece, Alysia Williams, Nashville, Tennessee; one brother-in-law, Ivan T. Smith, Sr., Kansas City, Kansas; one sister-in-law, Dr. Ann E. Smith, Chicago, Illinois; and several grand-nieces and grand-nephews. She was preceded in death by one sister, Irma Jean Mann Mayhue. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday, December 15, 2014, at Second Baptist Church with the Rev. Cornell C. Sudduth, Sr., officiating. Burial will be in Hawthorn Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be 2-4 p.m. Sunday, December 14th, at Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home. Those wishing to email tributes or condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.