Matilda Smith

Graveside services for Matilda (Cuevas) Smith, a longtime Coalgate resident, were held Saturday, January 16, 2021 at 10:00 am. at Coalgate Cemetery with Mr. Jerry Riley officiating. Brown’s Funeral Service of Coalgate was in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Smith was born September 16, 1929 to Philip and Olive Winifred (Miller) Cuevas in Los Angeles, CA and departed from this life January 12, 2021 at the Veterans Center in Sulphur, OK at the age of 91 years, 3 months and 27 days. She attended school throughout the Great Depression and graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1947.

Matilda enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1950 where she trained for and became a cryptographer for Central Intelligence. While stationed in Murfeesboro, TN, she met and married the love of her life, Frank Smith on March 3, 1952. They enjoyed 33 years of marriage and six children. They settled down in Coalgate after more than 20 years of traveling the world. Matilda loved her family above all else. Her greatest legacy was taking care of her children and grandchildren even to the point of sacrificing her own comfort. She truly loved her family above all else.

Survivors include her children, Frank P. Smith and wife Debbie of Pawnee, OK, Ernest Smith of Coalgate, Toni Hair and partner Dan Pleis of Lewisville, TX, Tina Cusey of Coalgate and Mary Riley and husband, Jim of Olney, OK; grandchildren, Robert, Clinton, William, Anthony, Dulcinea, Shonda, Olivia, Toni, Mati, Ernest, Kellen, Andrea, Melissa, Stephanie, James, Nicholas and Brooke; seventeen great-grandchildren; along with numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Philip and Olive (Miller) Cuevas; husband, Frank Ralph Smith; son, Andrew Brian Smith; brothers, Felipe Cuevas and wife Alice, David Cuevas and wife Inge and Tommy Cuevas; and sisters, Mary Ann Poole and Virginia Cuevas.

Condolences may be sent to the family by email to: brownsfscoalgate@sbcglobal.net. Please reference the name of the deceased in or correspondence.