Elnor Smith Ragan

Ragan, Elnor Smith age 93 of Stillwater passed away on October 27, 2007. She was born on April 20, 1914 in Little Rock, AK. She was preceded in death by her parents Mary and Dr. Otto Mitchell Smith, who was head of the Chemistry Department at OSU for many years. Elnor earned a degree in music from OSU, and then went to the University of Wisconsin for graduate work. She taught music in public schools in Springfield, MO, Muskogee and Stillwater, had a string instrument repair business, played violin and viola for many years in the OSU symphony and, until recently taught violin lessons in her home. A hobby of hers was to design and build her own houses. Her fourth and favorite was her energy efficient earth bermed home where she has lived for more than 20 years with her Welsh Corgi, Dylan, by her side. She has been feeding the birds, enjoying the flowers, growing vegetables and gathering and shelling pecans from her tree. She was an active member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Stillwater, and many environmental organizations. When younger she loved camping, and in more recent years looked forward to international trips with daughter-in-law Carol. Her life was full, and she will be missed by many. She was preceded in death by her sister Candace Smith Howell, and is survived by three brothers, Dr. Otto Joe Mitchell (Phyllis) Smith of Berkley, CA, Dr. Cedric (Katerina) Smith of Grand Island, NY, and Steven (Gayle) Smith of Tulsa; two children Lenore (David) Vanderkooi, Don (Carol) Ragan; grandchildren Kristen Dyer and Loren Vanderkooi, Leslie Ragan, Kevin Selig and Heather Ragan and great-grandchildren Megan Vanderkooi, Ariel Kwakye, Ben and Theo Ragan, and Sophia and Grace Dyer. Memorials may be make to Stillwater Unitarian Universalist Church, 320 S. Stallard, 74074; Judith Karman Hospice, PO Box 818, Stillwater, 74078; or your favorite environmental organization. Memorial services are scheduled for 3:00 PM, December 9, 2007 at the Stillwater Unitarian Univeralist Church. Online guestbook and condolences are available at pmcfh.com