The Carnegie Herald, Wed., April 3, 1940
Pioneer Alfalfa Couple Die In Tragic auto Accident On Hi'way
Mr. and Mrs. G.T. Smith Victims of Crash On Highway
Only Few Miles From Their Home Since 1901; Final Rites
Held At Alfalfa Highschool Auditorium Tuesday.
The tragedy of 11 deaths on Oklahoma highways over the past week end was brought to this community with appalling force with the death of Mr. and Mrs. G.T. Smith, pioneer residents of the community northwest of Alfalfa.
Mr. Smith, 76, was killed instantly and Mrs. Smith, 72, died the next morning when their car and a passenger bus collided on Highway No. 41, a mile west of the Bethel church about 1:30 p.m. Friday. The driver and three passengers on the bus were not seriously injured.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith filed on the place on which they had lived since December, 1901, and were known by hundreds of people in Washita, Kiowa and Caddo counties. Because of their kindly nature and the spirit of helpfulness characteristic of pioneers, their influence was felt in the development of the new country. They reared a large family yet always found time to offer assistance to worthy causes and to neighbors and friends. They were charter members of the Alfalfa Methodist church.
Services were held for Mr. and Mrs. Smith in the Alfalfa highschool auditorium at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday. Rev. G.T. Martin, Alfalfa Methodist pastor, assisted by Rev. W.S. Collins and Rev. R.P. Witt, former pastors, conducted the funeral. Burial was in the Alfalfa cemetery beside two of their children, on of whom was the first person buried there.
Final rites at the grave were conducted by members of the Rebekah and the Masonic lodges.
Greenberry Thomas Smith was born in Indiana August 24, 1864. He was married to Sarah Jane Blankenship in 1886 and to them three children were born, Wade Smith, Torrance, California; Ward Smith, Oklahoma City; and Mrs. Roy Flagg, El Reno. Mrs. Smith died in 1898.
Sarah Frances Anderson was born May 30, 1868 in South Carolina. She was married to James Buchanan Stewart in 1886. To them was born five children, two of whom, Mrs. J.O. Willis, of Alfalfa and Mrs. F.H. Witt of Oklahoma City, are living. Mr. Stewart had five children by a former marriage, three of whom are living including Mrs. Lena Bennett, Anadarko; Henry Stewart, Long Beach, California and Homer Stewart, Oklahoma City. Mr. Stewart passed away in 1896.
G.T. Smith and Sarah Frances Stewart were married August 23, 1899 at Pecan Gap, Texas. To this union five children were born, three of whom are living. The are Mrs. L.P. Brooks, Oakland, Calif., Cecil Smith and Paul Smith of Torrance, California.
Mrs. Smith is also survived by six sisters and five brothers all well known in this community. They are Mrs. Amanda Anthony, Anadarko; Mrs. Asilie Burge, Shawnee; Mrs. Estella Burge, Fayetteville, Arkansas; Mrs. Roxie Fast, Carnegie; Mrs. Nettie Pritchard, Phoenix, Arizona; Mrs. Cynthia Martin, Lawton; Bill Anderson, Jeff Anderson and Joe Anderson of Carnegie; Rube T. Anderson, Reedley, California; and Ed Anderson, Oklahoma City.
Also among the survivors are 21 grandchildren and four great grandchildren. All members of the immediate family and practically all of the near relatives were present for the funeral Tuesday.
Among Mr. Smith's nephews and nieces who were present were Mr. and Mrs. Bob Roderick, Mrs. Ida Humphries, and Mrs. Hettie Kent, of Pecan Gap, Texas; Mr. and Mrs. J.V. Smith, Ropesville, Texas; Arthur Smith and Ed Lemon, Ladonia, Texas; Tom Smith, Detroit, Texas; Mrs. Chas. Neely, Union City and Lee Lemon, who made his home with Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Roy Willis, a grandson, accompanied the relatives from California.
The large concourse of friends and neighbors who attended the funeral service attested to the respect in which Mr. and Mrs. Smith were held.