Vonnie Kay (Coy) Schmidt

Vonnie Kay (Coy) Schmidt passed into the presence of her Savior on April 18, 2024. She was surrounded by her husband and children, whom she dearly loved. She always had a smile and a joy that overflowed from deep within her spirit despite the physical hardships she endured.

Vonnie was born on August 5, 1957, in Columbia, South Carolina, to Ralph and Carolyn (Mueller) Coy. She had one older brother, Chad, and one younger sister, Vilene. Because she was a pastor’s daughter, the family lived in several different cities, eventually settling in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, where she spent most of her childhood.

During her freshman and sophomore years in high school, her family moved to Weatherford, Oklahoma, where she met the love of her life, Rick Schmidt. However, their relationship did not begin until she moved back to Bartlesville and was in her senior year of high school. They were married on December 20, 1975, in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Following their wedding, they made their home in Weatherford, Oklahoma. She attended Southwestern Oklahoma State University and earned her Associate in Secretarial Science. After graduation, she worked as the political science department secretary at SWOSU. On October 22, 1979, they welcomed their first child, Mindy Jae. After Mindy's birth, she left her job and became a homemaker. About 2 years later, they welcomed their second child, Brennan Reid, on February 1, 1982.

She trusted Christ as her personal Savior at a very early age and followed in obedience with baptism a few years later. Her commitment and relationship with her Savior, Jesus, guided her life and ministry to her family and others. Vonnie was always involved in her church’s children’s ministry and wanted to mentor young ladies and couples. She looked forward to her weekly Bible study with her sister, cousins, and close friends. She was very involved at Pine Acres Church, both attending and serving.

If one had the privilege of knowing Vonnie, one would immediately see the deep, abiding joy radiating from her ever-present smile. She was diagnosed with a rare liver disease in her thirties and with multiple sclerosis in her forties. Despite those difficult diagnoses, she never complained, remained joyful, and always pointed others to Jesus. She also had a servant’s heart and always deflected attention from herself to others.

As grandchildren came along, they became one of her deepest joys. She was blessed with five: Braylie Elizabeth, Peyton Reid, Carter Blake, Addalie Jae, and Langley Grace. Despite her physical limitations, she made a baby quilt for each one, had many tea parties, attended as many extracurricular activities as her health allowed, and loved on them every chance she had.

She is survived by her husband, Rick Schmidt, of the home; daughter, Mindy (Schmidt) Evetts and husband Brandon of Cordell, Oklahoma; son, Brennan Schmidt and wife Carrie of Weatherford, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Braylie and Peyton Schmidt, Carter, Addalie, and Langley Evetts. One sister, Vilene (Coy) Horton and husband Craig of Largo, Florida; father- and mother-in-law, Wes and Frances Schmidt of Weatherford, Oklahoma; brother-in-law, Bob Schmidt and wife Terri of Germantown, Maryland; sister-in-law, Cindy (Schmidt) West and husband Darrell of Sand Springs, Oklahoma; in addition to many cousins, nephews, and nieces.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Ralph E. Coy and Carolyn Coy; brother, Chad Coy; and brother-in-law, Troy Schmidt.

A celebration of Vonnie’s life will be Friday, May 3, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at Pine Acres Church in Weatherford, Oklahoma.