Nov. 27, 1929 – Feb. 24, 2024
Crosslin Fields Smith was born on Nov. 27, 1929, in Gore. In 1950, during his senior year of high school at Chilocco Indian School, he was drafted into the Korean War with the Oklahoma National Guard 45th Thunderbirds, the Company C 279th infantry. He served two years and was released. When he came home, he finished his senior year of high school. Then he attended Northeastern State University in Tahlequah where he received a Bachelor of Science in Education.
He met the love of his life, Glenna Foster, for the first time at a basketball game through mutual friends. They were married in 1954 and lived in Tahlequah until he finished school. While he was finishing school, Crosslin and Glenna had their first child Geraldine Smith. When Crosslin graduated school, they moved to Brigham City, Utah where he worked at Inter Mountain Boarding School and Glenna continued to work as a nurse. In Utah they had three more children; a set of twins in 1957, Crosslin Junior and Caroline Fields Smith and their third child in 1961, Catherine Smith. Then the family moved to Kayenta, Arizona where Crosslin worked as a teacher and their fifth child, Kent Wade Smith, was born. In 1965, Crosslin and Glenna and their five children moved to Tahlequah, where Crosslin was recruited by W.W. Keeler as one of the first employees of Cherokee Nation. He worked there until his retirement in 1995. In 1991, Crosslin and Glenna moved to Vian. They took much care and time to rebuild his father’s old homestead where Crosslin lived until his last days.
Crosslin loved his tribal ways. His desire was to keep the traditional beliefs and ceremonies of the Cherokee people alive. He took great pride in helping his clients and his work on the farm. He was a generous and loving man who would help anyone in need.
Crosslin taught us many things. Most importantly the bond of a family and an unconditional love for all people. Crosslin’s values will live on through the people who loved him.
Crosslin was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Glenna; father, Stoke Smith; mother, Lila Smith; sisters, Christine Fields, Lavada Wildcat and Lucy Webber; and brothers, William Smith, Junior Smith, Manuel Smith, and Benny Smith.
He is survived by his children, Geraldine Smith of Tahlequah, Crosslin Jr. Smith and Leslie, of Muldrow, Caroline Glenn of Porter, Catherine Smith of Vian and Kent Smith of Vian; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and many life-long friends.
Funeral Service was held at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 1, 2024, at Agent Mallory Martin Chapel in Sallisaw, with The Rev. Clifton Pettit officiating and eulogy by Bill John Baker. Burial followed at Redbird Smith Burial Grounds in Vian under the direction of Agent Mallory Martin Funeral Service, Inc.
Pallbearers were Jackson Cole, Blake Cole, James Ross, Melvin Foster, Clint Caroll, and Jeff Smith. Honorary pallbearers were Jarod McAuliff, Jordan Lancaster, David Jones, Bill John Baker, Crosslin Jr Smith, and Wesley Platero.
