Catharine Alda Veal (age 97) passed away on January 23rd in her home in Edmond, Okla. where she was well taken care of by her son Coburn and his wife Pama Veal. She was born on June 9, 1925 to Kenneth and Vera Smith in their farm home southeast of Tonkawa.

She attended Bird Nest School through the 8th grade, then graduated from Tonkawa High School in 1942. Catharine was attending NOC when WWII broke out and everything changed. She left college and went to work as a bookkeeper for an airplane parts assembly plant in Ponca City. It was there she met Glen Veal. The two were married March 26, 1944 and later moved to a farm near Tonkawa. They had 3 children – Carol, Glenda, and Coburn. In 1967 they bought a wheat farm one mile north of Tonkawa and lived there many years.

Catharine began her teaching career in 1956 at the First Baptist Church Kindergarten. But when Kindergarten was added to the Public School System, the church school was changed to “Kiddie Kollege”, for 4 year olds. She taught there many years until 1985.

Catharine committed her life to Christ at around 18 years of age, was baptized, and began years of service at the Tonkawa First Baptist Church. At first she taught 6 year-olds, then in the Jr. Dept. and Young People’s classes. Finally, for many years, she taught adult ladies until 2010. Catharine greatly enjoyed studying her Bible and was both an inspiration and example of goodness to many.

After retiring, Catharine and Glen bought a 5th wheel and belonged to a camper’s club. They really enjoyed that time in the out-of-door with friends.

Christmas was her favorite holiday, and she and Glen would often host the annual Smith Family Reunion at their farm home. During these wonderful times of reconnection with her large family, Catharine would write new words to old songs as well as plays and poems so everyone could laugh and sing together.

Always a seamstress, Catharine sewed beautiful clothes for her family, and later joined the quilter’s group ‘Overtones’ at her church. Those were great years of fellowship and she made special quilts for her family.

In Oct. of 2014 she moved to Via Christy, an assisted living facility in Ponca City where she got involved in their many activities. She especially enjoyed putting jigsaw puzzles together. When Covid swept our country, Catharine moved to Edmond to live with son Coburn and his wife Pama, who graciously took care of her as she lived out her days still enjoying puzzles, church, and playing Skipbo.

Catharine will always be remembered for her heart of love, kindness, generosity, and faithfulness in serving her Lord Jesus Christ. She was preceded in death by her husband Glen, parents KC and Vera Smith, sister Virginia Lamb (QD), brother Roger Smith (Janet), and brother Olin Smith. She is survived by her brother Larry Smith (Barbara) of Webb City, Mo., sister-in-law Thelma Smith of College Station, Texas, daughters Carol Scott of Ponca City and Glenda Tennis (Richard) of Eltopia, Wa., son Coburn Veal (Pama) of Edmond, grandchildren: French Scott, Suzanne McMahan, Gracie Guerrero, Nathan Tennis, Meredith Herringer, Chad and Jeremy Hall, 18 great grandchildren, 2 great, great grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in her honor can be given to: Tonkawa First Baptist Church Missions (212 N. Main Street, Tonkawa, Okla. 74653) or Good Shepherd Hospice (4350 Will Rogers Park Way, Suite 400 Okla. City, Ok. 73108) Graveside services at IOOF Cemetery in Tonkawa at 1:30 pm, Monday, January 30th. All are invited. Celebration of life will take place at First Baptist Church in Tonkawa at 2 pm.

Paid Obituary