Our staff's commitment to you
Our staff is committed to providing support, compassion, information, and direction as needed to all members of our community, their families, and friends who are dealing with loss and grief.
Robert L Ferris, Harrah Location Leader, is a 41 year veteran of funeral service and is licensed in both Oklahoma and Kansas. Robert graduated from Central State University (UCO) in Edmond in 1985, with bachelor’s degree in Funeral Science. He returned to Arkansas City, Kansas, after living and working in Oklahoma City at the Capitol Hill Funeral Home.
He and his wife, Kathleen, raised their two children in Arkansas City where he was very active in the community, serving in the Lion’s Club, and helping with the community band. Robert served the Rindt-Erdman Funeral Home of Arkansas City for over 31 years before taking the challenge of becoming the Location Leader at Asa Smith.
The couple was very active in their church, before sharing the pulpit together for several rural churches including the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Newkirk and the Marland United Methodist/Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). They retired from pulpit ministry in April of 2021 after nearly 30 years of ministry. Robert is a member of the Harrah Lion’s Club. He and Kathleen enjoy driving vacations all over the country, spending time at Table Rock Lake (Missouri) and discovering new places all over Oklahoma.
Being a Smith herself, Starla has had a long legacy in the funeral business. Both of Starla’s parents, Sammye and Winfred "Smitty" Smith worked for Asa Smith who was Starla’s uncle. Her family lived in the upstairs apartment for years. Starla served the community by being a school teacher in the Harrah Public Schools for many years. Since retirement from teaching, Starla joined the Asa Smith team as a care specialist and ambassador. Starla continues to serve her community. In Starla’s free time she loves her two Yorkies, Winston and Barney and is the cantor/choir director leader for Saint Teresa of Avila Catholic Church.
A native of Holdenville, OK, John retired from teaching after 57 years and continues to write a column for the local newspaper and serve as PA announcer for local sports. He has been closely associated with Asa Smith Funeral Service since 1978. His sister Betty was the wife of Asa Smith. He serves as an assistant in the office and is also involved in community relations. If you are ever looking for some local Harrah history, you can count on John Bill for that information.
Steven Lankford was born in Montclair, CA. He lived in nearby Pomona, CA. In 1995 he moved to Wetumka, OK where he graduated from Wetumka High School class of 1996. That June he started with Walmart where a summer job turned into 15 years. He worked his way from stocker to management. He has held several management and customer service jobs the last being General Manager of Braum’s on Harrison in Shawnee. He currently resides in Shawnee where his son attends Shawnee High School and is set to graduate in 2022. Steven serves families as our care specialist and monument expert at Asa Smith Funeral Service. His passion for customer service makes him a great fit to serve our families and their aftercare needs.
Monica graduated from Tecumseh High School in 1989. She did her first funeral training in Stillwater, Oklahoma, moving, later, to Shattuck, Oklahoma, close to the panhandle, were she worked for 16 years. Monica is now completing an apprenticeship with Asa Smith Funeral Service as a funeral director and embalmer and will graduate with her bachelor’s degree in May of 2022, in Funeral Service from the University of Central Oklahoma. When Monica first got into the business in 1999, she immediately fell in love with it. She enjoys guiding families thru their grief and helping them start on a healthy grief journey. Her attention to details helps grieving families as she helps them plan a meaningful service for their loved one. She hopes to make it possible for those left behind relax a little and leave all the worrying to her. Monica knows it is an honor to serve every family that graces our doors. She hopes to stay with Asa Smith Funeral Service, upon graduation, and continue to work alongside our team to give excellent service to those we serve.
A native of San Jose, CA was assigned to Tinker Air Force Base in June of 2017 as a medic in the United States Air Force. Chad and his wife Katrina made Harrah their new home upon his retirement from the Air Force in 2019. They have two daughters and four grandchildren that reside in Tupelo, MS. He enjoys spending time outdoors, landscaping and spending time with friends and family. Chad joined the ASA Smith team as an ambassador to continue a tradition of service.
Rick is a longtime area resident, having lived in Choctaw for the last 20 years. He worked building maintenance for General Motors until the plant closed in 2006. Rick has worked for various funeral homes as an Ambassador for 12 years and for Asa Smith Funeral Services for the last seven. He and his wife Roxanne enjoy the beach life as they have camped and travelled across the country.
Amado Rodriguez, born in Kenedy Texas, moved to Oklahoma in 1976. Lived in Harrah, Oklahoma since 1978. Retired after 37 years with the Oklahoma City Public Schools. Began working in the funeral business in 2014 and with Asa Smith Funeral Home in 2017 as a ambassador and fousing on facility maintenance.