Linda Joan (Richardson) Smith

Linda Joan Smith, 77, of Jenks, formerly of Claremore, passed away on March 8, 2026, in Tulsa. Born on June 13, 1948, in Vinita to Loran Orville Richardson and Mary Juanita (Hallett) Richardson, she graduated from Adair High School in 1966 and later earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Northeastern State in Tahlequah.

In 1973, Linda married Phillip Smith in Pensacola, Oklahoma. The couple made their home in Claremore, where Phil taught at Rogers State and Linda taught school for a time before serving as the reference librarian at Will Rogers Library for more than twenty years. She found quiet joy in reading, watching western movies, studying cookbooks, cooking, shopping, and tending her flower and vegetable gardens. Above all, Linda cherished her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents. Linda is survived by her husband, Phillip, of the home; her daughter, Julie Spears, and son-in-law, John, of Jenks; granddaughter, Brooke Spears; her brother, Sam Richardson of Claremore; and many other relatives and friends.