Elma "Baby Sista" Giddens Smith

Elma "Baby Sista" Giddens Smith was born on February 7, 1942 to Willie and Lottie Smith Giddens in Bowie County, Texas. She was the fourth of fifteen children.  She passed peacefully at her home on Thursday, January 3 ^rd .

She started her education at Slater Rosenwald in Idabel. She later attended Booker T. Washington in Idabel. She graduated from Florence High School in Florence, AZ. She earned an Associate's degree in Business from Eastern Oklahoma State College.

Elma accepted Christ as her personal Savior early in her life. She was a member of Springhill Missionary Baptist Church in Idabel. She has served in various capacities – church secretary, adult Sunday school teacher, and on the usher board. "SHE WAS ON HER POST EVERY SUNDAY."

She met and married Clemmie Smith and to this union, four children were born. Elma loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and family. She enjoyed sewing and reading her bible. She also loved planning the Booker T. Washington-Slater-Riverside Grand Reunion. She was an integral member of the Base Committee charged with planning the entire reunion and was the secretary for many years. And, she was one of the first people to greet attendees at the Reunion.

Elma was preceded in death by her parents: Willie and Lottie Giddens; grandson, Jordan Smith; sisters, Burnett Rhynes and Annie Asare; three nephews and three nieces.

She leaves to cherish her memory: Children, Terri Smith, Idabel; Margaret Smith and Barbara Smith, both of Oklahoma City; and Clemmie Smith of Oklahoma City. Grandchildren,  Alexandria Smith, Baylee Rivera, Courtney Small, and Markayla Patton, all of Oklahoma City. Great-grandchildren, Nyree Ryan, Zackery West, ZaNari Thomas, Kaden and Kaleb Threatt, all of Oklahoma City. Brothers, Clemmie (Frankie) Giddens and Martin Giddens, both of Idabel; Donald (Maude Ann) Giddens of Valliant; Wash (Regina) Giddens of San Diego, CA; Dennis (Karla) Giddens, Charles Giddens, Michael Giddens, William Giddens, and James Giddens, all of Oklahoma City; and Willie B. Giddens of Broken Bow.

Also, remembering her lovingly are: Sisters, Velma Moseley, Zelma Polk, Dorothy Giddens, and Esther (Richard) Johnson, all of Oklahoma City; America Giddens of California, and Ella Batey of Idabel. And, three special God-grandchildren, Diamond, Joshua, and Brennen White, all of Broken Bow; as well as a host of nephews, nieces, aunts, cousins, and friends.

The funeral service will be held at 1 PM on Saturday at ByPass Church of Christ in Idabel. Pastor A.W. Gulley will be the eulogist.