LaJoye (Cooper) Smith was born on Oct. 28, 1932 in Fordyce, Ark. to Herman and Lee Joy (Slaton) Cooper. LaJoye passed away on March 23, 2019 in Durant, Okla. at the age of 86.
LaJoye graduated from high school in Forrest City, Arkansas and attended the University of Arkansas where she met her future husband, John Smith. She married John on March 6, 1954. The family moved to Bryan County in 1974.
She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother to her family. She was of the Baptist faith and she attended First Baptist Church of Durant and later years she attended Silo Baptist Church. She was an avid reader and she enjoyed traveling and computer games. She was very involved in her community and she treasured her grandchildren.
LaJoye was preceded in death by her parents; husband, John Smith; son, Bryan Smith and brother, Herman Cooper Jr. 
LaJoye is survived by her sons, Mark Smith and wife Julie and Cooper Smith; grandchildren, Emilee, Tyler, Emma, Grace, Shyanna, Austin, Jennifer, Cooper and John and numerous extended family and friends.
A celebration of LaJoye’s life will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 27, 2019 at Brown’s Funeral Service Chapel.