Durleeta M. Smith, 66, affectionately known as Dee, passed away on Monday, September 9, 2024, at her home. She was born on June 2, 1958, in Kermit, Texas, to Grover Lee and Marcella Geraldine "Marcy" (Williams) Gorrell. Dee resided in Coffeyville, Kansas, at the time of her passing. A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Dee's love and dedication to her family was a testament to her strong spirit and tender heart.
In 1994 she married Frank Smith at the Southern Baptist Church in Dearing. Following their marriage, they made their home in the Coffeyville area.
She lived a fulfilling life, with stints in rural Peru, Kansas, Pawhuska, and Barnsdall, Oklahoma, and had spent the last 38 years in the Dearing and Coffeyville area. After moving to the Coffeyville area, she was employed at Acme Foundry for many years. Although she was passionate about her work, she also found joy in simple pleasures. Dee was fond of watching Forensic Files and Lifetime movies and going rummage selling, her husband even took her a few time before her passing, hobbies that allowed her to unwind and relax.
Dee is survived by her loving husband, Frank Smith, her cherished children Karl Anderson, Marcella Luckey, Josh Anderson, Rebekah Wallace, and Sherri Buie. She was a proud grandmother to twenty-nine grandchildren, Shawndra, Kelsey, Christopher, Harmony, Aria, Jade, Kinsle, Sabbastian, Domanique, Titus, Rhylie, Raegan, Gavin, Trey, Evelyn Kobi, Zade, Nickolie, Kyan, Kaven, Trenton, Eli, Aiden, Ashlynn, Jossluyn, Joel, Paul Jr., Matthew and Maddison, and eight great-grandchildren, Desmond, Ava, Emilia, Chloe, Serenity, Cordell, Eternity, and Cece all of whom she adored. Dee was preceded in death by her father, Grover Gorrell, her mother, Marcella Miller, and her sister, Marleeta Ehret. What mattered most to Dee was her family, particularly her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who will miss her deeply.
A memorial service celebrating Dee's life will be on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the First Church of God, 2010 W. First St., in Coffeyville. Following the service there will be a dinner for family and friends, they ask that you bring your favorite dish.
To leave a message for the family please visit www.dwbfh.com
David W. Barnes Funeral Home of Coffeyville is in charge of arrangements
