Lynda Faye Owens was born on October 11, 1949 in Red Bird, OK to Willder Marie Gallagher and Henry Willie Owens. She was nicknamed "Teeney" because she was so small at birth. Lynda was welcomed by oldest sister Darlene. Another sister, Patricia, joined the family in 1951. Darlene, Lynda, and Patricia were raised by their doting grandparents, Wesley and Roberta Roland. Her elementary and middle school education was completed at Miller Washington School in Red Bird, OK. Integration forced the closing of the Miller Washington High School therefore all high school students were bussed to Porter and Coweta. Lynda graduated from Porter High School with the class of 1967.

Lynda moved to Okmulgee in 1968. Later she met Herbert Smith, Jr. and they were married in September 1969. Their 50 ^th anniversary would have been September 2019. They are the parents of Carla Denise and LaMar Ray Smith. Lynda also helped raise her granddaughter DeAundrea Denice Patterson.

Lynda attended First Baptist Church of Red Bird from birth through high school. She was baptized in Herron's Pond by Rev. L. E. Barber on September 11, 1960. She was a member of the Sunday School, BTU, sang in the choir, and served on the junior usher board. She united with the Greater Jones Chapel AME Zion Church under the leadership of Rev. Lyons Manuel, and was a faithful member for several years. Later she united with Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. J. B. Brown and later Rev. David Burks. Lynda was a member of the Mt. Zion Usher Board, Sunday School and worked for many years as the head of the Kitchen Committee. Mt. Zion was well known for the delicious food they served. She was well known for her cakes, pies, and her culinary skills in general. Lynda was a faithful member of Mt. Zion, a loyal servant, and attended faithfully until her health failed.

She was employed as a Nursing Assistant for many years working in Tulsa and Okmulgee and she was employed as a cook at the United Capp Headstart. Later she was employed by the Bailey family and worked for them until her retirement.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Willder Gallagher-Parker and Henry Owens, grandparents Wesley and Roberta Roland, John Gallagher, and Odis Vannie Owens, granddaughter Sharray Smith, grandson Thomas Griffin, sisters, Sharon, Diane, and Andrea and several aunts and uncles.

Lynda is survived by her husband Herbert, daughter Carla Denise Smith-Lewis (Ricky) and son LaMar Ray Smith. She is also survived by her grandchildren, DeAundrea, Ta-Keisha, Thessaly III, Carlissa, Ricky Jr., Kennedy, Kendrick, and Devan. Great-grandchildren, Allen III, Alijeh, Jayceon, Karmoni, Kyrie, Bent'Leigh, Tyson, Iyanna, Ariana, Diondre', Joshua; her siblings, Darlene Smith-Jones (Carl), Patricia Behn (Rev. Eli Sr.), Lawrence Parker Jr., Vernon Parker, Gwendolyn Lang, Barbara Hammon, Kenneth Parker, Dietta Parker, Anita Robinson, Larnson Leroy Parker (Denise), Reta McRae, Step-sister Darlene Fisher, aunt Nathelene Surratt, Special cousin, Wilma Mosley, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A Home Going Celebration will be conducted, Saturday, July 27, 2019 at 11 a.m. in First Baptist Church, 311 W. 5th St. in Okmulgee, OK.  Interment, Thursday, August 1, 2019, 12 Noon, Ft. Gibson National Cemetery, Ft. Gibson, OK.  Visitation, Friday, 1:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M.

The family has been cared for by House of Winn-Okmulgee