Maurine E. Shepard

Maurine E. Harvey Smith Shepard was born September 15, 1919, near Annona, in East Texas. She attended schools in the area, where she enjoyed classes and playing sports, especially basketball. She died December 26, 2015, in Shawnee OK. Maurine married Lewis Smith in 1938. They lived in Annona, Kress, and Hart, TX until his death in 1967. They had two children, Jim Lewis Smith and Kay Smith Watson. For several years, they also operated the Green Frog Cafe in Hart. In 1972, Maurine married Roland Shepard of Hart. They lived together happily until his death in 1991. Later, Maurine returned to Annona to live for several years, and then in 2005 she moved to Shawnee, OK to be near her daughter. Maurine was a gifted cook and gardener. The meals that she prepared for her , family and friends, for cafe patrons, and for community and civic groups were remarkable--delicious and generous. Her hands seemed able to bless plants into bloom and production. In addition, she loved to paint, do arts and crafts, visit with neighbors, and play table games. She met few strangers and had many friends everywhere she lived. Those who came in contact with her, even in her final years, found her to be "strong," "energetic," and "sweet." She was preceded in death by her husbands and by her son, Jim Smith. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Kay and Doug Watson of Shawnee, OK, and by their daughter and son-in-law, Erin and Adam Deines, and their daughters, of Tucson, AZ; by one step-daughter, Rowean Crader of Gold Canyon, AZ, and her children, Kim Crader and Cody Crader. Also surviving is one brother, George Harvey, and his wife, Betty, of Annona, TX, and several other grandchildren, great- grandchildren, and nieces. Funeral arrangements are with Walker Funeral Service of Shawnee, OK. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Wednesday, December 30, from 6-7:30 p.m. A graveside service will be held before burial in the Hart TX Cemetery.