Aug. 12, 1962 – April 12, 2025
Funeral services for J.L. “Joe” Smith, 62, of Vian, were held at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 17, 2025, at Stokes-Smith Ceremonial Grounds in Vian.
Burial was at Redbird Smith Cemetery in Vian under the direction of Agent & Mallory-Martin Funeral Home.
Mr. Smith was born on Aug. 12, 1962, in Tahlequah to Junior Stoke Smith and Nancy Jane (Webber) Smith.
He died on Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Vian.
He was a graduate of the Cherokee Language Master Apprentice Program. He worked as a Communication Specialist in Translation for the Cherokee Nation Language Department.
Survivors include two daughters, Dayshia Smith and Lacey and Matthew Billy all of Tahlequah; two sons, Lyndon Smith of Tahlequah and Kyle Smith of Vian; six sisters, Vickey Smith, Diana Cox and Sherry Smith all of Vian, Sandra and John Lewis of Tulsa and Lisa Smith of Purcell; one brother, Richard Smith of Vian; seven grandchildren; and other family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and one sister, Stephanie Smith.
Pallbearers were Koda Noisey, Uriah Grass, Brandon Bush, Stryker Fields, John Ollie, Gary Brooks and Winterhawk Grimmett.
