Martha Iralene Willis Smith

Martha Iralene Willis Smith, 72, of Clarendon passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 15, 2026, in Clarendon.

Martha was born July 24, 1953, in Midwest City, Oklahoma to Dorothy Lea Leighton Willis and John Charles Willis, giving John Terrell Willis a baby sister.  The family moved to Kingston, Oklahoma where Martha became a basketball star, a beauty queen, and drum majorette.  After high school, Martha worked at Donut fishing barge on Lake Texhoma, where she met Lige Everett Smith.  A shared love of fishing and the outdoors, the couple wed on March 11, 1972.

Two years later, they welcomed Daniel Gene, the first of 3 boys.  Charles Ray Preston burst onto the scene in 1976, and Jacob Dean followed two years later in 1978.  Martha loved being a mother, and spent long days working part-time, and taking care of her family full-time while living in Atoka, Oklahoma.  She was a sought after florist at Anna’s Flowers, played amateur basketball, and visiting with friends and neighbors.

In 1987, the family moved to Clarendon where she found a new home and a great many new friends.  She continued to work as a florist at Harlan’s Flowers until 1994, when she began working at The Nook where she designed the seasonal displays to beautify downtown Clarendon.  In 2000, she went to work at Clarendon College.  At the college, she worked her way up to become the head of admissions and earn her associates degree.  After retiring in 2020, Martha enjoyed her freedom from work and indulged in her hobbies of gardening, candy making, fishing, and spending quality time with family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Dorothy and John Willis; her son, Jacob Smith; her brother, Terry Willis; her niece, Ginny Willis-Rex; and nephew, Woody Willis.

She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Lige Smith; her sons, Danny Smith and Charlie Smith and husband Mat Ryan.
Memorial services were held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 21, 2026, in the First Baptist Church in Clarendon with Rev. Lance Wood, officiating.

A celebration of life will follow on Wednesday from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at The Roost in Clarendon.

Cremation and arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.