Carissa Callie Smith (Prater) 42, of Harrah, Oklahoma and the Kingdom of Christ, was called home by the Almighty on March 30, 2026, after a short but fierce battle with cancer. She will be deeply mourned by her family, to whom she was the cornerstone and a vision of a Proverb. Carissa was born in Farmington, NM, where some years later, she gave her life to her Savior in baptism.

Carissa relocated to the Oklahoma City area in 2003 and later began completing her associate’s degree in nursing at Rose State College in Midwest City, OK. As a Registered Nurse she began a career at Oklahoma Heart Hospital South and dedicated her nights to caring for patients suffering from heart and spine issues. After a few years, she gave up that career to educate her three children and maintain the family home. After successfully educating her children, she returned to Nursing in public service to her community at Oklahoma City County Health Department, where she was employed at the time of her death. Carissa was a faithful follower of the Lord Jesus Christ and devoted member of Sooner East Church of Christ in Oklahoma City, Ok, serving the congregation as the wife of a deacon.

Carissa is survived by her husband of 22 years and best friend for life, Loy, and blessed children Grace, Andrew, and Claire Smith of Harrah, Ok, parents Garland and Pam Prater of Farmington, NM, grandmother Torksey Merewether of Albuquerque NM,  sisters Ashlynn McBride (husband Josh, and children Astrid, and Ivy) of Guthrie, Ok and Candace Miller (husband Mathew, and children Rayne, Amaya, Emerson, and Eliot) of Lockney, TX, mother-in-law Susie Smith of Tulsa, Ok, father-in-law Derral Smith of Arpelar, Ok, sisters-in-law Katie Dye (husband Dustin and child Alex) of Owasso, Ok, and Lorie Springer (husband Rusty and children Isaac (Ashlyn), Isaiah (Amanda), Noah, and Chloe) of Broken Arrow, Ok, and many brothers, sisters, fathers, and mothers of the family of Christ.

Carissa enjoyed teaching her children the valuable lessons of formal education and a deep love of reading. She loved making things and buying gifts that would enrich the lives of others. She loved other people’s old junk and beautiful plants of all kinds, which frequently populated every part of the home. She enjoyed taking old quality furniture from the days of yesteryear and giving it fresh life with hours of labor and a keen eye for style. She loved giving gifts for birthdays and Christmas but one of her favorite gifts was annually collecting and exchanging a “box of crap” with Lorie for Christmas. She delighted in the hunt for simple, unique gifts that would have so little value to the world yet so much meaning to the receiver. She loved thrifting and garage sales and would often surprise Loy with yet another piece of large furniture that needed to be picked up somewhere in Central Oklahoma, or new projects just quietly hiding in the back of the Expedition to be refinished. She was the faithful wife of a law enforcement officer and servant of the church. Never did she complain about his quick departure or long hours away for duties to the public or to the church. Her dedication to her husband and children was unparalleled and her loyalty and devotion to friends was ever present. Carissa loved the outdoors, quiet walks with Loy in The 15 Acre Wood, and family adventures to national and state parks, camping, hiking, beach combing for treasures, museums, mountains, skiing, exploring new cities, and so many other activities. She also coveted quiet times of sewing and crafting in the corner of a back room of the house or solitude of the garage. More than many of these things, she cherished church meetings, bible studies, and fellowship with saints. Carissa had no need to be the center of attention or the life of the party. Simple presence and watching others enjoy faith and fellowship was always enough.

Carissa will be remembered and celebrated on April 7, 2026 at 3:00pm at Choctaw Church of Christ in Choctaw, Oklahoma. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in her name to your Church congregation, for the furtherance of the cause of Christ.