Carolyn Jane Houck

Carolyn Houck, age 85, of Noble passed away peacefully on July 25, 2026. Carolyn Jane Smith was born on March 25, 1941 in Sentinel, Oklahoma, the 2nd of four children born to Carl Lee Smith and Mayme Lawrence (Clark). When Carolyn was around the age of 12, the Smith family moved from western Oklahoma to east Norman. She attended Norman Schools and was introduced to a young man named, Johnnie Lee Houck, by his sister Dee. The two quickly fell in love and on July 23, 1957 in Seminole, Oklahoma, Carolyn married the love of her life and high school sweetheart. They made their home in Norman for nine years, before settling in Noble in 1968. Together, they raised 5 children, son, Keith and daughters, Vicki, Tracy, Lori, and Joni. Throughout her working career, Carolyn worked for various companies such as John Roberts, Westinghouse, and later Shaklee which is now known as, Yamanouchi. She was part of the original start up group there in 1979, and she later retired in 2001 after more than 20 years of dedicated service. In her free time, Carolyn enjoyed reading, completing puzzles, and she never passed up an opportunity to go shopping. She was also an excellent cook and found great joy in preparing meals for those she loved. Her fried chicken and jalapeno cornbread were family favorites that will be fondly remembered, along with her delicious baked goods. Carolyn loved to host family holidays and get-togethers; she was always the happiest being surrounded by her family! Carolyn was a strong, determined, hardworking, caring, and loving woman in nature. She was constant and steady. She always showed up big for the people she loved, and she truly would do anything, for anybody, at any time. She had a heart of gold! She was a family woman, and cherished every moment and memory made with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. She was a one-of-a-kind woman who will be missed dearly by all who knew and loved her! She was preceded in death by: her loving husband, Johnnie Houck; parents, Carl Smith and Mayme Antonilli; brother, Danny Smith; Son-in-law, Russell Kirby; and fur baby, Bobby. Carolyn is survived by: her son, Keith Smith and wife Kelly of Noble; daughters, Joni Pickelsimer and husband Dennis of Oklahoma City, Tracy Huxall and husband Johnny of Van Austyne, Texas, Vicki Kirby of Noble, and Lori Runge and husband Tom of Noble; brothers, Johnny Smith and wife Joan of Norman, and Butch Smith and wife Nita of Norman; 16 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and one more on the way, 3 great-great grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, and a host of other family and friends.

Carolyn Jane Houck

March 25, 1941 - July 25, 2026