Kenda Diann Smith, 65, passed away September 15, 2019, at home in Bristow, Oklahoma. She was born February 16, 1954, in Coalgate, Oklahoma, to Kenneth and Maxine Pulliam.
She attended Bristow Public Schools and graduated in 1972. She was a lifelong member of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Bristow where she had some very special friends.
She was a talented artist and calligrapher and spent hours exploring nature and creating unique crafts from the natural items that she found. She also loved taking photos of flowers and other natural beauty…even rocks. She loved reading, playing games and was the family expert at Yahtzee which she learned from her Aunt Bobbi. She had a special way of making people know they were being thought of and enjoyed making and sending handmade cards until her arthritis slowed her down. She liked staying up late with papa and sneaking him snacks. She enjoyed helping mom and watching Laurel dance. They had Dance Mom dates in the front room. She became quite the texter on a flip phone even though she had a smart phone. But the thing she loved best was spending time with her four precious grandchildren. Before that, it was her nieces and nephews. She was a wonderful “Keena” and loved them all to the moon and back.
Kenda is survived by her parents, Maxine and Kenneth Pulliam of Bristow; two children – son Ryan Smith and daughter Mandy Smith, both of Bristow, daughter-in-law Teresa Smith and grandsons Justice Smith, Seth Smith and Noah Smith of Shawnee, and granddaughter Laurel Grace Smith of Bristow; brother Rick Pulliam and wife Helen (Sammi, Jesse, Rachel, Kaycee); sister Rhonda Cearley and husband Dean(Jonathan & Clint); and brother Jeff Pulliam, all of Bristow. She is also survived a whole bunch of wonderful aunts and uncles, many cousins, great-nieces and great-nephews and extended family. She was preceded in death by her grandparents – J.E. (Jack) and Laura Mae Ward; Cliff Pulliam; and John and Pearl Hill, all of Coalgate, Oklahoma. And also a very special Lizzy dog.