Letha Mae Smith-Swift was born August 22, 1957, to the late Lenard Smith, Sr. and Ruth Mae Barnes-Smith of Muskogee, Oklahoma. Letha departed this life at home peacefully on July 5, 2023, at the age of 65.

Born the fifth child of Christian parents, Letha was baptized at an early age and became a member of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church. She served under the leadership of the late Reverend James McDaniel, in Muskogee, Oklahoma, where she participated in the Star Light Band and the Youth Department.

Letha was an honor graduate of Muskogee High School and later went on to graduate with honors from Bacone College.  She worked for the Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company for several years before meeting and marrying Reverend Jeremiah Jerome Swift in 1980, her husband of 43 years.

Letha and Jeremiah relocated to Garden Grove, California in 1984.  She was a very knowledgeable and dependable employee of the Pacific Bell Telephone Company in California and retired after 33 years of service.

Letha loved meeting and serving people.  She worked with the youth and served on the Board of Directors for a Preschool in Santa Ana, California for 15 years while also working with the youth at Johnson Chapel AME Church in Santa Ana, California, where she was a member for over 20 years. While at Johnson Chapel, Letha served on the Usher Board and was received as one of the mothers of the Church until she and Jeremiah moved back to Muskogee, Oklahoma in 2017, where she united and served as First Lady of Ward Chapel AME Church.

Letha was a dedicated Board Member for CTC Wounded But Not Broken, a nonprofit organization that serve veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD) and traumatic brain injuries (TBI).  Letha served as the Treasurer, and later became a member of Central Missionary Baptist Church where she served on the Pastor's Support Committee and as an Usher until she transitioned to be with the Lord.

Letha loved gardening, traveling, petting her dog Busta, and had a host of interesting hobbies.

Letha was preceded in death by her parents, Lenard and Ruth Smith, and her eldest brother Lonnie C. Smith. She is survived by her husband, Reverend Jeremiah Jerome Swift and her watchdog, Busta.  Brothers: Alfred L. Smith – Chicago, IL and Lenard Smith, Jr. – Bloomington, IL; Sisters: Maureen Smith-Ishodi – San Francisco, CA, Rose Mary Smith-Reed – Surprise, AZ, and Carole Duncan an honorary sister -Muskogee, OK.; a host of brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, and cousins.

Letha's loving and nurturing disposition will be missed by those who knew and loved her.

A service of memory will be conducted Saturday July 15, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. in the Central Missionary Baptist Church, 1400 Georgetown Muskogee, OK with Bishop Q.L. Bell eulogizing. Public visitation Friday July 14, 2023 in the Precious Memories Chapel- Muskogee during the hours of 1:00 - 5:00p.m.

Interment will be Monday July 17, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. in the Ft. Gibson National Cemetery.

The family has been cared for by House of Winn Funeral Home-Muskogee