Teri Kay Taaca

Teri Kay Smith Taaca died on August 24, 2026, surrounded by her family and an abundance of love. Teri was born on March 12, 1947, to Margaret Virginia Spencer Smith and H. Roger Smith in Oklahoma City, OK. Teri was a free-spirit, a collector, and an artist, but most notably she was a mother, a friend, a grandmother, a sister, and an aunt.

Teri’s pride and joy were her five children, nine grandchildren, and her two great-grandchildren. In Teri’s eclectic home, she would encourage her grandchildren to color her walls- a colorful expression of the imaginations of the grandchildren who called her Nana. She did things creatively and entirely her own way, and she wanted those around her to be themselves. She made them feel seen, heard, inspired and loved. They knew how important they were to her. She didn’t just care about her family, she cared about their friends and about their friends’ families, as well. Her love ran deep.

Teri was an avid collector of antiques and art, so much that she even opened two antiques stores. While she did not call herself an artist, she in fact was. She created items such as Christmas trees and birdhouses adorned in beautiful jewels that can be found in the homes of her friends and family. She had the great skill of gift giving. In the aisles of antique shops and thrift stores, she found memorabilia, artwork, or pieces of furniture, often overlooked by others. She always knew who would be the perfect person to receive these treasures.

Teri’s creative sense carried on into her clothing. She wore large, bright colored glasses before fashion dictated that this was cool. In her younger years, she was a carpool mother of five who drove a stick-shift Alfa Romeo convertible. She took road trips with all the kids, striking out on many adventures across the country, with only a map, her wanderlust and bravery at hand. These trips would eventually carry her through 48 states. Teri remained curious about what was around the next corner and generally preferred getting there listening to her music and with the top down. She loved road trips, books, babies, OU football, lunch at Johnnies, holidays, cookies, cake, and soft blankets.

At family gatherings, Teri was the sun. The fiery center of the family solar system. Everyone orbited around her. She could engage in a rousing conversation, while rocking a baby, all while still asking for the various pieces of pie. Being around Teri made people feel that they mattered. She always showed up for Grandparents Day, ball games, holidays, dinners, and even late night phone calls. Her presence made life more interesting, more colorful, and certainly more fun. She was the coolest grandmother, the best mom, and a beloved sister, aunt, and friend. When asked to describe her with three words, one of her grandsons said, “best Nana ever!”

Teri is preceded in death by her parents, Virginia and Roger Smith; her sister, Kasey Carey; and her niece, Tara Weir Eisworth.

She is survived by her five children: her daughter, Tiffany Talton, and her husband, Mims Talton, and their children, Brooks and Lydia; her son, Derek Taaca, and his wife, Lisa Taaca, their children, Thomas Taaca and Tiffany Taaca and Zach Monroe and Jake Monroe; her daughter, Erin Johnston, and her husband, Craig Johnston, and their children, Luke and his wife Frances, Henry, and Edward; her daughter, Liza Taaca Bradley; and her son, Joshua Taaca.

She is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Lane Johnston and Ryder Harris; her sister, Kristin Smith Weir; her nieces, Meg Payne and Shea Weir; her nephew, Justin Carey, and her niece, Ashlie Carey; her beloved dog, Izzy; and her great-nieces, extended family and friends.

A memorial service will be held on October 7, 2026, at 2:00 PM at All Souls Episcopal Church, with a reception to immediately follow at Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Homeless Alliance in her memory.