Irene Jean Smith

Irene Jean (Laughter) Smith was born on June 6, 1946, to Tom Laughter and Abbie (Atene) Laughter. She was called to her heavenly home on January 15, 2025, in Anadarko, Oklahoma, at the age of 78. Irene was a graduate of the Southwest Indian School of Pheonix, AZ where she served as her class Valedictorian. She attended Vennard College in University Park, IA and received her state teaching certification from Central Arizona University. By trade she was a teacher and after her retirement she spent several years as the Postmaster of the Shonto United States Postal Office before her move to Oklahoma in 1995. Irene married the love of her life Barry Smith on November 26, 1971, in Shonto, AZ. To this union was born three children: Sheila, Dwight and Laughter. Irene was a loving wife and caring mother, not only to her own children but to numerous nieces, nephews and the friends of all her children. Her family was her greatest treasure, and she lived for every moment that she could spend with them. After the loss of her husband in 2005, she traveled from state to state living with each of her children as well as spending time with her brothers, sisters and extended family. Irene lived a godly life before her family and set an example that will live on in each of them. Irene’s true mission was teaching and began her career as a pre-school teacher in 1955 at the Shonto Canyon School. She continued teaching even into her retirement with the Caddo Nation HeadStart. She was committed to her community and her service to better the lives of all those around her. In 1987, she started her term as a Counsil Delegate and Vice President for the Navajo Nation Shonto Chapter. She was an advocate for education and served on the School Board for the Shonto School. Irene had many passions in life and was creative in many ways. She loved to garden and wherever she was, she made sure to have her hands in the dirt cultivating and growing nourishment or beautiful landscapes. Her gardens were always something she was proud of and loved to share the bounty of her labor of love. She attended horticulture and floral design classes at the Caddo/Kiowa Vo-Tech to extend her knowledge and love of gardening. Irene not only was talented in gardening and crafting, but she had a beautiful voice and loved to sing. She traveled the United States with her school choir and loved singing in church. She treasured singing in her native tongue with Navajo Hymns. Left to cherish the memory of Irene are her children, Sheila Greymountain and husband Bufford of Green River, WY, Dwight Smith and wife Charlotte of Farmington, NM, and Laughter Smith and wife Shanney of Anadarko, OK, granddaughters: Abigail, Naomi, Alysha, Allie, Christian, and Abby, grandson Elijah, step grandchildren Dexter, Mercedes, Bufford Jr., Tristan, Porscha, Bryson, Darrius, Preston, and Faith, her brothers and sisters, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Irene is preceded in death by her parents, Tom and Abbie Laughter, her husband Barry Smith, 5 infant grandchildren, numerous brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews. A funeral service to honor the life of Irene is set to begin at 3:00 P.M. on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at the Red Stone Baptist Church in Anadarko, with Rev. Laughter Smith officiating and Rev. David Sullivan and Rev. Ben Sullivan assisting. A meal and fellowship will follow the service at the Redstone Baptist Church in Anadarko. A Burial and memorial celebration will be held in June of 2025 at Tall Mountain, AZ where she will be laid to rest alongside her beloved husband in the Laughter family cemetery. Services are under the direction of Smith Funeral Home in Anadarko, Oklahoma.

Irene Jean Smith

June 6, 1946 - January 15, 2025

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