Virginia "Ginger" Smith

Virginia Lea Smith, a longtime resident of Pawnee, Oklahoma, passed away on Thursday, October 6, 2016 at age 74 years.

Ginger was born October 24, 1941, in Pawnee, Oklahoma. She was the daughter Clifton Cleon and Pearl Lorene (Provine) Nelson. Ginger began her education in Pawnee and later moved to Wichita, Kansas with her mother where she completed her education. Ginger later returned to the Pawnee area and was united in marriage to Jackie W. Smith on July 4, 1962 in Newkirk, Oklahoma. The couple established their home in the Pawnee where she has continued to reside. Ginger has been employed with IGA, Munsingwear in Pawnee, OSU at the bakery and also worked for the US Census.

Ginger loved having family around. She loved having big dinner and getting the family together. Ginger was an active livestock booster for many years while her kids were an active part. She also enjoyed going coon hunting with Jack and taking the kids with them. Her family referrers to her as the “Lamb Whisper.” Ginger enjoyed watching Jeopardy and knew many of the answers.

Survivors are her husband Jack of the home, four sons Elmer Lee Ringgold, Jr. of Perry, Oklahoma, Charles Ringgold of Perry, Oklahoma, James Smith of Enid, Oklahoma, John Smith of Ponca City, Oklahoma, two daughters Patty Flowers of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Teresa Harp of Ralston, Oklahoma; seventeen grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends that will mourn her passing. Ginger was preceded in death by her father Clifton “Click” Nelson, mother Pearl Knaak, one sister Jean McFarland, one brother Leslie "Porky" Nelson, one grandson Trace and one great granddaughter Rose Mary.

Funeral services will be held privately at the family’s home at a later date. The body will be cremated under the direction of Poteet Funeral Home and Cremation Services. In memory of Ginger the family has asked that memorial donations be made to: Hospice of North Central Oklahoma at 445 Fairview Ave
Ponca City, OK 74601; https://www.hospiceofnorthcentraloklahoma.org.

Friends may share a memory of Ginger with the family on her memorial website at www.poteetfuneralhome.com