06/01/2026
Johnnie Lee Smith Johnnie Lee Smith was born on July 17, 1946, in Indianola, Oklahoma, and he passed away on May 30, 2026, in Richardson, Texas after a lengthy battle with lung cancer.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 3, 2026 at Northside Assembly of God with Reverend Brian Smith and Reverend Donnie Smith officiating. The burial will follow at Memory Gardens Memorial Park Cemetery, McAlester, Oklahoma.
Pallbearers will be: Brian Smith, Thomas Davis, Todd Rhyne, Landon Hall, David Golden and Donnie Smith.
John was a man whose life reflected the values he believed in. He understood that a man’s real worth is not measured by possessions, but by the love they give and the integrity they show.
He had a humble heart and a determined mind, and he had a way of making others feel that tomorrow could still be good, no matter how difficult today might be.
John graduated from McAlester High School and proudly served 6 years in the Oklahoma National Guard. John spent 58 years as a HVAC technician.
John also knew how to enjoy life’s simple blessings. He was an avid hunter and fisherman.
He was blessed with a strong sense of wit and humor. He will be affectionately remembered for his stories and laughter.
John was preceded in death by his father, Henry Artist Smith, mother, Effie Irene Smith; sister, Rosa Faye Hayes; brothers: Ronald (Ronnie) Edward Smith and Jerome (Joe) Dean Smith.
John leaves behind his dearly beloved son, Matthew John Lee Smith, who carries his name.
He is survived by his brothers, Billy Gene and his wife Pat of Port Neches, Texas; James Donivan and his wife Sharon of Crowder, Oklahoma; and Jimmy Wayne and his wife Opal of Wylie, Texas.
He is also survived by several grandchildren; Ashley, Steven, Matthew, Hunter, Trinity and Aryah, several great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews and a host of cherished friends.
In times of loss, it is natural to grieve, but it is also right to celebrate the life of our loved one. John’s earthly journey has ended, but the impact of his life will continue in the hearts of those he loved and those who loved him. John expressed in his last days that he had always known about the Lord, but that in these last few years he had truly come to know Jesus in a personal way. One of his last quotes was “If you have Jesus you have everything, and without him you have nothing". John was determined, and he fought hard to the very end. He often would say, "The Lord has the last word in all of this". His time of suffering was a sermon in itself, teaching that a man can face hardship without losing hope. He trusted the Lord every day. He talked about the Lord to anyone who came into his presence. He wanted more than anything to share the love of Jesus that he had found.
Johnnie Lee Smith will be remembered as a faithful friend, a proud veteran, a skilled worker, and a man who found joy in simple things. Those who knew him will remember his quiet and strong presence, his love of the outdoors, and his commitment to doing what was right. May his memory inspire those who remain to live for Jesus, serve with humility, and love with all their heart.