Jonita Loretta Smith Kinney

  Jonita Loretta Smith Kinney, 83, passed away Thursday, December 27, 2018 at home, surrounded by her family. Memorial Service:  2 p.m. Saturday, January 12, 2019 at North Side Baptist Church, Weatherford. Loretta was born January 23, 1935 in Spearman, to Leslie Smith and Ethel McClellan Smith. She was married to James Kinney making for a lovely, happy 45 years together. Loretta lived a selfless life. She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Patricia and Bonita; and one brother, Leslie. Loretta is survived by her husband, James Kinney; brother, Billy Mack Smith; sister, Ava Jeweleen Smith; daughter, Susan Sexton Dedman and son-in-law, Larry Dedman; three grandsons, Temkai Lee O'Bryant, Derek T. O'Bryant and wife, Aliciaanna Williams O’Bryant, and Jeremy Dakota O'Bryant; five great-grandchildren (one of whom she raised), Kailee Jo Helan O’Bryant, Jaiden May O’Bryant, Mary Jane O’Bryant, Benjamin William O’Bryant, Damien Henery O'Bryant; son-in-law, Marty O’Bryant and wife, Kim; several nieces and nephews; and a host of loving friends and extended family. 83 years of life, 45 years of marriage, you will be missed. Rest in peace.   The Dash by Linda Ellis   I read of a man who stood to speak At the funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on her tombstone From the beginning to the end. He noted that first came the date of her birth And spoke of the following date with tears, But he said what mattered most of all Was the dash between those years. For that dash represents all the time That she spent alive on earth And now only those who loved her Know what that little line is worth. For it matters not, how much we own, The cars, the house, the cash, What matters is how we live and love And how we spend our dash. So think about this long and hard; Are there things you'd like to change? For you never know how much time is left That can still be rearranged. If we could just slow down enough To consider what's true and real And always try to understand The way other people feel. And be less quick to anger And show appreciation more And love the people in our lives Like we've never loved before. If we treat each other with respect And more often wear a smile, Remembering that this special dash Might only last a little while. So when your eulogy is being read With your life's actions to rehash Would you be proud of the things they say About how you spent your dash? © 1996 Linda Ellis