Alta Sue Holloway-Smith

Alta Sue Holloway-Smith, age 93 years, 7 months, and 2 days, of Purcell, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 20, 2026. Sue was born on August 18, 1932, to Elmer McFarland and Sally Lee Vernon (Whitaker) McFarland. She was the oldest of ten children and grew up as the daughter of a sharecropper, moving from place to place as her family followed the harvest. In her younger years, Sue worked the cotton fields alongside her family, learning early the value of hard work, resilience, and devotion. She later met the love of her life, Archie Holloway, a young serviceman. Their love story began quickly, and they were united in marriage on August 9, 1949. Together, they made their home in Purcell, where they built a life centered around family. Sue’s greatest joy was always her role as a wife and mother, and she poured her heart into caring for those she loved. Sue and Archie worked side by side in the cotton fields, often alongside their children, instilling in them the same strong work ethic and deep sense of family. They also cherished time spent together outside of work, enjoying evenings at the senior citizens center where they would country dance and visit with friends, often bringing their grandchildren along. They loved playing bingo with their grandchildren as well, creating joyful, simple moments that became treasured memories. After many years of marriage, Archie preceded her in death, leaving behind a lifetime of cherished memories that Sue carried with her always. Sue was a woman of many talents and passions. She worked for several years at IGA, where she was known for her kindness and strong work ethic. At home, she was an excellent seamstress who found joy in sewing and crocheting, often creating beautiful, handmade pieces for her family. She loved tending to her home and garden, canning the fruits of her labor, and sharing them with others. She also had a love for fashion and always took pride in looking her best. Holidays and time spent with family were especially dear to Sue—any gathering with her was something grand, and she had a special way of making every occasion feel meaningful and full of lasting memories. In her later years, Sue found happiness again with Sam Smith, sharing companionship and love. Together, they enjoyed spending time at the senior citizens center, where they could often be found country dancing and visiting with friends. More than anything, Sue and Sam treasured time with their family, making memories through laughter, gatherings, and the simple joy of being together. Sue was fiercely devoted to her family—a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and loyal friend. Her strength, warmth, and generous spirit left a lasting impression on everyone who knew her. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Leah Walck; sons, Terry Holloway and Tommy Towler; her husbands, Archie Holloway and Sam Smith; her parents, Elmer and Sally McFarland; and her siblings, Charles McFarland, Bobby McFarland, Jimmy Dale McFarland, Wilma Trimble, Linda Gayle Owens, Crickett Turnage, and Della Marie McKinley. Sue is survived by her daughters, Lucretia Harper of Purcell, Natalie Hirsch of Purcell, and Angela Edmoundson of Norman; her sisters, Joann Little of Moore and Helen Moore of Graham, Texas; 14 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and a host of other beloved family members and friends. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Thursday, March 26, 2026, at Little’s Chapel, with burial to follow at Washington Cemetery. Though her hands are now at rest, the love she stitched into every life, every meal, and every moment will carry on. In every garden that blooms, every song that plays, and every memory shared, Sue’s spirit lives on—steady, strong, and full of Grace. Well done my good and faithful servant.

Alta Sue Holloway-Smith

August 18, 1932 - March 20, 2026