Sarah Smithey Obituary (1932

Sarah Elizabeth Smithey was born on Easter Sunday March 27, 1932 in Taylor, Texas to Thomas Morgan Preston Ashley and Sadie Mae (Spraggins) Ashley. She was called home to Heaven by her Lord and Savior on August 7, 2021. Sarah was raised in the Hill Country region of Texas. Growing up, Sarah was active in her local church and Youth for Christ. After graduation from Brackenridge High School, San Antonio in 1949, she attended and graduated from Draughon's Business College. Her education prepared her for a career in accounting and business. In the late 1990's, Sarah received an Honorary Doctorate from Grand Canyon University. Sarah met the love of her life, Jerry Smithey, while she was working as a bookkeeper for Newell Salvage Company in San Antonio Texas. Shortly after falling in love on the job they were united in marriage. They resided in San Antonio for a short time then moved their family to Tucson, Arizona in 1957 to build an additional location for Newell Salvage Company. In 1969 the opportunity to form their own scrap metal recycling business was given to Sarah and Jerry and they made the decision to move to Tulsa, Oklahoma and formed Tulsa Metal Processing Company, "Home of Oklahoma's first automobile shredder". They continued working together and expanding their business to include a second location in Tulsa, Oklahoma and locations in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Phoenix, Arizona. Throughout their marriage wherever they lived Sarah and Jerry were very active in a local Southern Baptist church. Sarah was a Sunday School teacher, a Youth leader and chaperone, active in Women's Missionary Union and led Training Union for different age groups. She also served as Financial Secretary for the church. Sarah and Jerry faithfully supported the Kingdom of God through giving to their local church, Grand Canyon College/University, Arizona Baptist Children Services, church camps, new churches and many church and GCU building projects. Sarah also served on the Board of Trustees and was a member of The Guild at Grand Canyon University. Sarah enjoyed going to garage sales and estate sales, collecting and selling antique furniture and glassware, hosting church group parties and mostly being with family and friends. Survivors include two sons, Jerry A. Smithey and wife Pamela of Sand Springs, and Jeffery D. Smithey and wife Debra of Tulsa; two daughters, Juanita Smithey of Santa Ana, CA, and Valerie Koeninger and husband Robert of Lubbock, TX; six grandchildren, Trent Smithey, Chris Smithey, Nicole Smithey, Jeremy Koeninger, Marilyn Smithey, Jeffery T. Smithey, Melissa Smithey; and eight great-grandchildren, Sonora, Dakota, Joseph, Hanna, Skylee, Hayden, Danni Jo and Carolina. Sarah was preceded in death by her husband Jerry in 1996, her parents, one toddler sister, one daughter, Judy Smithey and one son, Michael Smithey. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, August 21, 2021 in the Broadway Baptist Church at 1000 N. Adams Road in Sand Springs, OK with Jerry Dillon officiating. Interment will follow at Ridgelawn Cemetery in Collinsville, OK. Services are under the direction of Dillon Funeral Service and condolences may be shared at www.dilloncares.com