Neva JoAnn (Merrifield) Smith was born in Sayre, OK to Elston and Neva Merrifield on October 27 or 28 (there was an ongoing dispute about that date) 1938. She married Paul Smith in Duncan, OK on April 2 1955. Neva went home to heaven on Oct 18, 2024 - 10 days before she would have turned 86.

Neva JoAnn and Paul lived in Illinois, Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado and Missouri as they worked as roofers. Neva loved to grow plants and could grow anything from a seed. She was especially proud of her avocado tree grown from a seed. Neva loved to read and even when she lost her eye sight spent hours listening to recorded books.

Neva loved Jesus and although she was a life long believer was baptized at the Sayre First Baptist Church in July 2023 by her son in law Gary. She loved to ask people if they knew Jesus and tell them how much she loved him.

Neva is survived by her daughters Brenda Quinn and husband Gary of Sayre, Paula Bowers of Cape Girardeau, MO, and Jane Lisbon and husband Pete of Sayre; one sister Marion Stephens; one brother Ralph Merrifield; grandchildren Stacey and Nate (Brenda), Sarah, Cheyenne, Samantha (Jan), Breanna, Rachel, Hunter (Paula), and Adam, Teddy, Katie, Beka (Teddy); 19 great grandchildren; daughter-in-law Kathy Little; sister-in-law Nancy Smith; many nieces and nephews who called her Aunt Jo, extended family and a host of friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents Neva and Elston Merrifield, husband Paul Smith, son Teddy Smith, daughter Jan Brookshier, grandson Teddy Paul Smith, brother Bob Merrifield, sisters Ruby Burns and Betty Musgrove.

Neva spent the last months of her life at Hensleys and loved the nurses and caregivers.

Special friends are Sheila, Nancy, Tammy and Nick. Special thanks for Humanity Hospice and Jody Johnson, Kristi, Lisa, Beth and Amy.

A memorial will be held at 1:00 p.m. on October 28, 2024 at the Sayre

First Baptist Church FBCCC on Main Street.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to:

CASA of Western Oklahoma

PO Box 485

505 W Franklin

Weatherford, OK 73096

Sayre First Baptist Church

504 N 4th

Sayre, OK 73662