Eleanor Emma Smith
January 19, 1920 – October 19, 2021
Eleanor E. (Steele) Smith was born on January 19, 1920, in Marysville, KS, and passed away on October 17, 2021. She lived 101 years and nine months before leaving us to be with the Lord.
She is preceded in death by: husbands, Arthur Steele and Noble Smith; sons, Don Steele and wife Mary; Robert “Bob” Steele and wife Kaye; granddaughter, Lisa Ann Steele; sisters, Stella Pearson and Katherine Kutis. She is survived by: brother, Joe Kutis of Chino Valley, AZ; granddaughter, Christina Wiggins and husband Charles of Harker Heights, TX; grandson, Eric Steele and wife Kari of Edmond, OK; great-grandchildren, Christopher Wiggins and wife Mikaela, Bailee Murillo and husband Christian, Carrie Casillas and husband Eric, Ashlyn Evans and husband Gage, and Colton Steele; great-great granddaughters, Victoria, Anna Kat, and Caroline, who is due November 2021; former daughter-in-law, Barbara O’Neal; step-grandchildren, Candace and Aaron Crown; step-great-grandchildren, Erin Roberson and Brandon Buser.
Eleanor moved from South Dakota to Edmond, OK, with her husband and two sons in 1957. She and Arthur owned and operated a furniture and appliance store on 3rd & Broadway. After the sudden loss of Arthur, Don, Mary and Lisa, she went to beauty school and opened Eleanor’s Beauty Shop, which she ran out of her home for over 50 years. She spent her last seven years living in Texas, close to her granddaughter.
She was a good friend to many in Edmond and the surrounding towns. She loved shopping at thrift stores and twice every year would open her garage, post a sign in her yard, and sell all her thrift store trinkets in a garage sale. She loved getting to know people. After ten minutes with a stranger, she would know their whole life story. Words that have been used to describe Eleanor: stubborn, witty, classy, hilarious, opinionated, resilient, and hard-working. All who had the privilege of knowing her felt blessed by the experience. Above all, she was proud of her family and loved them beyond measure. She will be missed, but we are glad for all the wonderful memories we have to cherish, and we rejoice that she can now rest in peace.
An open casket viewing will be held from 9:30am – 10:30am on Thursday, October 28th at Gracelawn Cemetery prior to the service.
A Graveside service will be held Thursday, October 28th, 2021 at 11:00am at Gracelawn Cemetery, Edmond, OK.
One-of-a-kind lady and someone our family dearly loved. We had great fun!
Christy again I am so very sorry. I really enjoyed getting to know Grandma. She was such a charter.
Granny will truly be missed she was truly loved by us all here at Luvida
Grandma was one of a kind! We will keep her alive through the memories of great days and fire…. nights we had with her.
Prayers and hugs to all the family.
Love, Prayers and Hugs
Ms Eleanor was God’s gift to me. It was truly an honor to spend time with her. She made me flourish whenever I spent time with her. She is truly missed.
Oh the wonderful memories of aunt Eleanor coming to visit. They have put a smile on my face my entire life. How we loved to have her visit. Such wisdom and kindness with strong resolve.
She will be missed yet what a legacy she has left behind. Well done auntie. Rest in peace.