Suzanne’s life was one of extraordinary strength and resilience. At just nine days old, she suffered from viral encephalitis, which left her with brain damage. Despite this early hardship, Suzanne showed remarkable determination from the very beginning—walking before she was ten months old and riding a tricycle by the age of two. She possessed abilities and a spirit that even her doctors could not fully explain.
In December of 1963, Suzanne’s father, Babe, was seriously injured in a car accident and hospitalized for ten months. On the day of the accident, he had purchased a rocking horse for Suzanne’s Christmas gift and asked her mother, Pat, to give it to her as soon as she returned home. During Babe’s long recovery, Pat worked tirelessly to support the family while also caring for Suzanne, who slept only one to three hours at a time.
It was during this difficult season that doctors advised Suzanne’s parents that she would require specialized care. With heavy hearts, they placed her in Paul’s Valley State Hospital, where she began receiving the support she needed. Suzanne remained in care settings throughout her life.
Though her life followed a different path than most, Suzanne was deeply loved and cherished. She was the light of her parents’ world, bringing them joy, purpose, and enduring love.
Survivors include her parents, Babe and Patricia Smith.
A Celebration of Life for Suzanne Lorraine Smith, 66, of Poteau, Oklahoma, will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at Evans Chapel of Memories in Poteau, Oklahoma, with Phil McGehee officiating.
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