copied with permission from
The Shawnee News-Star
215 N. Bell
Shawnee, OK 74801

submitted by Kay Sugg Best

Published Mar. 17, 2005

Doyle E. Smith

Longtime Shawnee resident Doyle E. Smith, 88, died Monday, March 14, in Shawnee.

He was born Jan. 1, 1917, in Chandler to Franklin Dewey Smith and Effie Key-Smith.

He attended Dale schools.

On Dec. 28, 1939, he married Addie Mae Watson in Tecumseh. He owned and operated Doyle's Service Station, on the corner of Broadway and Highland, for 30 years.

Smith was a longtime member of Liberty Baptist Church, and he was a member of the Masonic Lodge for more than 50 years, including Shawnee Composite Lodge No. 107, the McAlester Consistory and India Shrine of Oklahoma City. He also was a member of Shawnee American Legion Post No. 16 for more than 50 years.

He served with the U.S. Army Air Corps (now the U.S. Air Force) during World War II for 43 months.

Smith was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers and sisters, Loyal Smith, Alpha Rowan and Ernest Lee Smith.

Surviving relatives include brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Harold and Dean Watson of Tecumseh, Violet Watson of Shawnee, Jackie Watson of Wetumka and Kozelhua and Heborn Young of Modesto, Calif.; and numerous nieces and nephews, including L.C. Smith and Eva Lee Smith of Kerrville, Texas, and Alpha M. Ledgerwood and Ronnie of Lubbock, Texas.

Service will be 2 p.m. Friday at Liberty Baptist Church with the Rev. Bill Matthews and the Rev. Phil Thompson officiating. Burial will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery in Shawnee.

Arrangements are under the direction of Gaskill Funeral Home

Sherry L. Burns

Tecumseh resident Sherry L. Burns, 42, died Saturday, March 12, in Missouri.

She was born Feb. 7, 1963, in Anaheim, Calif., to Richard K. and Jeanette J. (Hutchison) Greene.

On June 13, 1981, she married Ray Burns in Orange County, Calif. They lived in Orange County, Calif., until after the birth of their first child in 1982 when they moved to Tecumseh.

She was a registered nurse and was currently working at Central Oklahoma Juvenile Center in Tecumseh.

She was an active member of the Pentecostal Church of God in Tecumseh, where she worked with the Flight Ministries.

She was preceded in death by her mother; her grandmother, Helen Harryman; and her father-in-law, John Burns.

Survivors include her husband, Ray Burns of the home; one daughter and her fiancee, Crystal Burns of Tecumseh and Nick Hess of Poteau; one son and daughter-in-law, Johnny and Sarah Burns of Tecumseh; father, Richard K. Greene of Orange, Calif.; one sister and brother-in-law, Pam and Mark Sederoff of Orange, Calif.; one brother, Richard K. Greene II of Kansas City, Kansas; mother-in-law, Millie Burns of Tecumseh; brother-in-law, Bill Burns of Tecumseh; and numerous other relatives and friends.

Service will be 11 a.m. Friday at Cooper Funeral Chapel, Tecumseh, with the Rev. Fred Owens officiating. Burial will follow at Old Moral Cemetery.

Cooper Funeral Home is directing arrangements.

Hazel M. Campbell
Okemah resident Hazel M. Campbell, 82, died Tuesday, March 15, in Okemah,

Graveside service will be 10 a.m. Friday at Paden Cemetery under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Service of Prague.

George Ray Thomas
Longtime Sasakwa area resident George Ray Thomas, 61, died Wednesday, March 16, in Oklahoma City.

Graveside service will be 2 p.m. Friday at Vamoosa Cemetery with Arthur Carpitcher officiating.

Pickard-Swearingen Funeral Home of Konawa is directing arrangements.

Paulette Louise Tall Chief Coffey
Shawnee resident Paulette Louise Tall Chief Coffey, 57, died Tuesday, March 15, in Lawton.

Prayer service will be 7 p.m. today at Deyo Mission Church in Lawton.

Service will be 10 a.m. Friday at First Indian Baptist Church in Shawnee.

Burial will be in Holdenville under the direction of Comanche Nation Funeral Home of Lawton.

Mildred Catherine Jordan Mann
Shawnee resident Mildred Catherine Jordan Mann, 85, died Tuesday, March 15, in Sulphur.

She was born Jan. 3, 1920, in Dewar to Jonathan David and Arlie (Hamilton) Jordan.

On Jan. 24, 1942, she married Haldene Mann in Edinburg, Texas.

She grew up in Porum and graduated from Porum High School. She lived in Sulphur many years before moving to Oklahoma City and the Shawnee area. She retired from Dotson Cafeteria in Oklahoma City as a cook in 1986.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, a sister, Frances, and a brother, Joe.

Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Dean Digby of Davis; two sons and daughters-in-law, Joel and Nona Mann of Dougherty and Jerry and Jolene Mann of Sulphur; nine grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; brothers, Fred Jordan of Muskogee, Frank Jordan of Shawnee, Chuck Jordan of Muskogee and Kenneth Jordan of Martinez, Calif.; and nieces and nephews.

Service will be 10 a.m. Saturday at First Free Will Baptist Church in Sulphur with the Rev. Brad Ransom officiating. Burial will be at Drake Cemetery in Sulphur under the direction of Clagg Funeral Home.

Bobbie V.L. Gangemi
Bobbie V.L. Gangemi, 87, died Tuesday, March 15, at the home of her daughter, Toni Jensen, in Harrah.

Memorial service will be 10 a.m. Saturday at the Harrah Church of the Nazarene, 20775 North Street, with the Rev. Hubert Gilbert officiating.

Memorial donations may be made to Sooner Quality Hospice Inc., 921 Sooner Road, Del City, OK 73110.

Published Mar. 18, 2005 

Brodrick Freeman Cornett
Seminole resident Brodrick "Brody" Freeman Cornett, 8-week-old-son of Clinton and Tracie Lynn Cornett of Seminole, died Monday, March 14, at a Seminole clinic.
Service will be 10:30 a.m. today at Swearingen Funeral Chapel with Chris Stinnett officiating.

Swearingen Funeral Home of Seminole is directing arrangements.

Published Mar. 19, 2005 

Jack Ware

Tecumseh resident Jack Ware, 80, died Wednesday, March 16, in Tecumseh.
He was born March 5, 1925, in Shawnee to Arthur and Laura May (Douglas) Ware. He was a resident of the Tecumseh/Shawnee area all of his life and attended Shawnee schools.

On April 3, 1948, he married Helen Ware in Shawnee. She preceded him in death Aug. 15, 1998.

He worked as a truck driver for 20 years. He also worked at a grocery store for 15 years, Pratt's for 14 years and Al & James for two years.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; one grandchild, Destry Eugene Ware; a great-grandchild, Lacey Ware; brother, Don Ware; and a sister, Maxine Elliott.

Survivors include daughters and sons-in-law, Jeanne and Lonnie Shirey of Earlsboro, Linda and Gary Maston of Shawnee, Rena and Gary Batt of Tecumseh and Lena Faye Ware of Shawnee; son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Dena Ware of Tecumseh; 15 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Graveside service will be 11 a.m. today at Tecumseh Cemetery with the Rev. Mike McCauley officiating. Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh is directing arrangements

Christopher Todd Pernell

Shawnee resident Christopher Todd Pernell, 27, died Friday, March 18, in Shawnee.

He was born Aug. 28, 1977, in Shawnee to Henry N. and Charlotte M. (Daniel) Pernell. He was reared in Colorado before returning to Shawnee in 1995.

On Nov. 29, 1999, he married Diana Byrd in Shawnee.

He worked as a cabinet maker with "The Wood Garden."

He was preceded in death by his grandparents.

Survivors include his wife, Diana Pernell of the home; son, Christopher Gage Pernell; and daughter, Skye Taylor Pernell, both of the home; parents, Tad and Charlotte Pernell of Shawnee; sister and brother-in-law, Tara and David Payne of McLoud; nieces, Dallas Payne of McLoud, Brittany and Madison Jackson of Shawnee; nephew, Cody Payne of McLoud; numerous friends and family.

Service will be 2 p.m. today at Cooper Funeral Chapel. Burial will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park.

Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh is directing arrangements.

Rev. John Hayden
Former Prague resident the Rev. John "L.G." Hayden of Oklahoma City died Thursday, March 17, at a veteran's home in Lawton. He was 78 years old.

He was born Sept. 25, 1926, in Prague, to Jesse Guy and Zeota Nell (Halsey) Hayden. He attended Prairie Dale schools.

He worked at Tinker Air Force Base before becoming a Baptist minister. He pastored churches in Oklahoma, Arkansas, New Mexico, Louisiana, Colorado and Kansas.

He served as a Sgt.1st Class in the U.S. Army, 45th Infantry Division, during World War II and the Korean conflict.

He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, Glenn "Doc" Hayden, Bruce Hayden, Fred Hayden, Jim Morris and Cecil "Cot" Morris; and one sister-in-law, Ray Morris.

Hayden is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Teela and the Rev. Ron Young of Oklahoma City, and Johna and Allen Knight of Colorado Springs, Colo.; one son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Holly Hayden of Paden; seven grandchildren, Risha Young, Janna Barber, Jonathan Young, Terah Rawlings, Kami Knight, Casey Jackson and Jamie Hayden; four great-grandchildren; his wife, Ida Hayden of Anadarko; one brother, Chuck Morris of Florida; one sister and brother-in-law, Eula and Wendell Jardee of Del City; three sisters-in-law, Zea Hayden of Oklahoma City, and Nelda Morris and Shirley Hayden King, both of Shawnee.

Graveside service will be 10 a.m. Monday at Dale Cemetery with the Rev. Ron Young and the Rev. Allen Knight officiating.

Arrangements are under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home.

Bernice Crow
Bernice Crow of Tecumseh died Thursday, March 17, in Shawnee. She was 84 years old.

She was born Aug. 31, 1920, in Salina, to C.E. and Bessie (Simmons) Shepherd.

She graduated from Shawnee High School.

She married Floyd M. Crow on Nov. 7, 1941, in Shawnee. The couple then moved to Moultrie, Ga., for a short time before returning to Tecumseh.

Crow was a homemaker and also worked at Harp's Produce in Shawnee. She was an active member of First Baptist Church of Tecumseh.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one grandson, David Monroe Crow; and two brothers, P.H. Shepherd and Bill Shepherd.

She is survived by her husband, Floyd Crow of the home; two sons and one daughter-in-law, Billy Crow of Tecumseh and Gary and Judy Crow of Salt Lake City, Utah; one brother and sister-in-law, Leon and Marie Shepherd of Bethel Acres; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, E.J. and Nancy Crow, Olan and Nan Crow, Mary Willis, Mildred Ziegler and W.F. Crow; four grandchildren and spouses, Amy and Steve Wiley, Tabatha and Chris Petrasek, Brandy Crow and Laura Crow.

Service will be 1 p.m. Monday at First Baptist Church of Tecumseh with the Rev. Dr. Tim Walker officiating. Burial will be in Tecumseh Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home.

Clyde Henry Riggs
Longtime Milfay resident Clyde Henry Riggs, 81, died Thursday, March 17, in Seminole.

Service will be 10 a.m. Monday at the Parks Brothers Funeral Chapel in Stroud with the Rev. Steve Gillispie officiating. Burial will follow at Stroud Cemetery under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Service in Stroud.

Horace Thomas Childers
Former Maud resident Horace Thomas "H.T." Childers, 79, died Wednesday, March 16, at a Wagner care center.

Graveside service will be 1 p.m. today at Cummings Cemetery with Glen Williams officiating. Knight-Swearingen Funeral Home of Maud is directing arrangements.

Yvonne Georgine Taylor
Longtime Saint Louis resident Yvonne Georgine Taylor, 59, of Maud died Tuesday, March 15, at a Seminole hospital.

Service will be 11 a.m. today at First Baptist Church of Maud with the Rev. Tim Martin, the Rev. Paul Jackson and the Rev. Jimmy Rutters officiating. Burial will follow at Cummings Cemetery in Maud.

Knight-Swearingen Funeral Home in Maud is directing arrangements.

Published Mar. 22, 2005

Edith Louise Boswell


Edith Louise Boswell died Saturday, March 19, in Noble.

She was born Dec. 12, 1911, in the Arbuckle Mountains. She was a member of the Heavenly Heights Baptist Church. She worked as a nurse's aid.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Buster Boswell; daughter, Callie Blythe; son, Dennis Boswell; three brothers and her parents.

Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Lula Ingraham and Hallie; granddaughters Gylua Ducan and husband, Jeff; Barbara Ellis and husband, David; Angulia Bohanan and Roxann Ingraham; grandsons, Sid Blythe and wife, Shelia; Wanda Smith and husband, Don; Dennis Ingraham and wife, Margo; Billy Ingraham and wife, Nancy; 23 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren.

Service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Heavenly Heights Baptist Church, Oklahoma City. Burial will follow at Arlington Cemetery in Midwest City.

John M. Ireland Funeral Home and Chapel of Moore, is directing arrangements

Nila Mae Berryhill Newton
Former Shawnee and Elgin resident Nila Mae Berryhill Newton, 81, died Sunday, March 20, at a Norman hospital.

She was born Feb. 18, 1924, in Elgin to Mary Jane Powers Berryhill and Ulysess Berryhill. She attended Elgin schools and was active in band and orchestra.

She married William E. Newton in Oklahoma City. They traveled throughout western Oklahoma and to Vallejo, Calif., but settled in Shawnee in 1949, where they ran a dairy farm and horseback riding stable.

About 1970, she returned to Elgin and lived with her mother, Mary, and helped care for her until her death in 1996.

She worked many years for Southwestern Bell as a telephone operator and at St. Gregory's University as a switchboard operator. She was on the Elgin Library Board and helped research and work on the publication, "The History of Elgin, Oklahoma." In 1999, she moved to Noble Senior Citizens Center where she lived until she moved to the Noble Health Care Center in June 2002.

Survivors include her daughter, Karen Gwen Davenport; son-in-law, Doyle Davenport; and granddaughter, Lori Mae Davenport, all of Slaughterville; two sisters, Olivine Barnett, formerly of Elgin, and Billye Sue Lathen and husband, Ves Lathen, of Prairie Village, Kan.; two nieces, Ann Anderson, of Prairie Village, Kan., and Velma Barton and Bob Barton of Oklahoma City; nephew, Philip Barnett and wife, Janie; and numerous other cousins, grand nieces and nephews.

Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Elgin Cemetery. There will be viewing 6-8 p.m. today for friends and family at the Becker/Robbins Funeral Home in Fletcher .

Memorials may be made to the city of Elgin Library Fund, P.O. Box 310, Elgin, OK 73538.

Eddie "Bill" Morris
Eddie (Bill) Morris, life long Shawnee resident, passed away Sunday, March 20, 2005 in Oklahoma City at the age of 62.

He was born in Shawnee in July 16, 1942 to John S. Morris and Helen (Harwell) Morris. He was a graduate of Shawnee High School and later served in the United States Army. On June 12, 1970 he married Ms. Thearlene Stanley in Tecumseh, Oklahoma.

Eddie worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone for 38 years, was a member of the telephone Pioneers, served on the board at Liberty Bell FCU, and was a member of Tecumseh Church of Christ. He loved cooking, gardening, photography and watching sports.

He was preceded in death by both of his parents. He is survived by his wife, Thearlene Morris; 2 children, Nicquel Gordon and her husband Neil of Hot Springs and Nick Morris and his fianc� Ashley Weldon of Norman, Oklahoma; one brother Bob Morris and his wife Emily of Oklahoma City; and 2 Sisters, Louise Dixon of Shawnee and Marsha Rowley and her husband Larry of Shawnee; 1 grandson Cooper Gordon of Hot Springs, Arkansas any many nieces, nephews and a wonderful mother-in-law and father-in-law, Bud & Thearl Stanley.

Donations may be made to the Tecumseh Church of Christ Building Fund. Services will be 2:00 Wednesday, March 23, 2005 at the Northridge Church of Christ with Bob Anderson officiating. Burial will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park. Services are being handled by Resthaven Funeral Home

John Rice
Meeker resident John Rice, 81, died Monday, March 21, at an Oklahoma City hospital.

Tribal rites will be 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Rice family home. Burial will be 2 p.m. at the Rice Family Cemetery.

Walker Funeral Service is directing arrangements

Published Mar. 23, 2005

Harvey Leon Danner

Tecumseh resident Harvey Leon Danner, 70, died Monday, March 21, in Midwest City.

He was born Jan. 6, 1935, in Lincolnton, Ga., to Harvey and Lillie (Wells) Danner.

He was reared in Lincolnton, Ga. After joining the U.S. Air Force, he lived in Amarillo, Texas.

Following his military service, he moved to Midwest City. He worked in the shipping department at Wonder Bread Bakery in Oklahoma City. He worked there for 27 years before retiring in 1986.

He was a member of Pink Baptist Church and the American Association of Retired Persons.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Mary Scott; and two brothers, Bobby and Billy Joe Danner.

Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Jean Danner of the home; one son and daughter-in-law, Randy and Sondra Danner of Guthrie; one daughter and son-in-law, Debbie and Steve Erwin of Midwest City; three stepsons and their spouses, Johnny and Sherry Reid of Shawnee, Steven and Sharon Reid of Blanchard and Danny and Tisha Reid of Oklahoma City; one sister, Anita Martin of Lincolnton, Ga.; one brother, Alton Danner of Lincolnton, Ga.; seven grandchildren, Misty, Valerie and Danny Danner, Bethany Ritter, Kayleigh and Kyle Mercer and Stephanie Erwin; eight stepgrandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren; and many relatives and friends.

Service will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Pink Baptist Church with the Rev. Shane Lester officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Family will receive friends at the funeral home 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. today.

Memorials may be made to the Pink Baptist Church Building Fund, 30269 SH 9, Tecumseh, OK 74873.

Stephen A. Currie

Shawnee resident Stephen A. Currie, 47, died Monday, March 21, west of Shawnee.

He was born May 24, 1957, in Shawnee to Wayne A. and Letitia A. (Lefler) Currie. He graduated from Shawnee High and from The University of Oklahoma in 1985.

He was a manager for CVS Pharmacy in Choctaw.

On Oct. 10, 1986, he married Karen Parleir in Oklahoma City.

Currie was a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church. He was an Eagle Scout and was assistant leader of Pack 461 of Will Rogers School.

He also was a member of the Founders of T.K.E. at OU.

Survivors include is wife, Karen Currie of the home; daughter, Stephanie Currie and son, Colin Currie, of the home; parents, Wayne and Letitia Currie of Shawnee; brother, Phillip E. Currie; sister, Susan E. Currie; grandmother, Mary Roberts; uncles and aunt, Bob and Carol Currie of Shawnee, John Ed Lefler of Muskogee and Rodger Lefler of Tulsa; and five cousins.

Service will be 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Paul's United Methodist Church with the Rev. Rockford Johnson officiating. The casket will be closed and not opened for the service. Burial will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park

Memorials may be made to an Education Fund for his children at BancFirst, 1939 N. Harrison, Shawnee, OK. 74804.

Walker Funeral Service is directing arrangements.

Leroy Flowers
Tecumseh resident Leroy Flowers, 64, died Sunday, March 20, in Tecumseh.

He was born March 1, 1941, in Macomb, to Victor and Bea (Moore) Flowers. He was reared in Santa Monica, Calif., and Victorville, Ariz., before returning to Macomb.

He attended grade school at Anderson and Macomb High School.

He served with the U.S. Army.

On July 15, 1963, he married JoAnn McFarland in Durant. They owned and operated several businesses, including service stations in Seminole and Flowers Construction Company.

He also worked at Shawnee Mill and McLoud Telephone Company. He was a real estate agent for Golden Key Realty.

He was a past member of the Jaycees.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one daughter, LeAnn Flowers.

Survivors include his wife, JoAnn Flowers of the home; three sons and one daughter-in-law, Raymond Flowers of Taft, Lynndy and Theresa Flowers of Tecumseh and Wade Flowers of Tecumseh; one daughter and son-in-law, Sherry and William Hagen of Tecumseh; 12 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; one brother, Ray Flowers of Tecumseh; and one sister, Leta Martin of Shawnee.

Service will be 3 p.m. today at Cooper Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Wilmer Cooper officiating.

Marie Grundmann

Marie Grundmann left this life to be with her Heavenly Father on March 20, 2005, at her home in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Miss Grundmann was born July 23, 1909, to Henry and Minnie Grundmann in Little, Oklahoma. She graduated from Oklahoma State University. She taught in Lutheran elementary schools in St. Louis, Missouri, for nine years. She then taught for twenty-eight years at Prairie Valley Elementary School in Seminole County where she was devoted to the education and development of her first and second grade students for twenty-eight years. Miss Grundmann was a devout member from childhood of St. John Lutheran Church in Shawnee, Oklahoma, where she served as choir director and adult Sunday school teacher. In 1978 Miss Grundmann moved with her sister Ella to Oklahoma City to be closer to Ella's children and grandchildren, to whom she served as a beloved mother and grandmother. In Oklahoma City Miss Grundmann was a member of Our Lord's Lutheran Church for the last twenty-eight years. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother John Grundmann and sisters Minnie Williams and Louise Cunningham. She is survived by her sisters Ella Dockins and Katherine McNew, both of Oklahoma City; and her brother Henry C. Grundmann of Earlsboro, Oklahoma. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, March 24, 2005 at Our Lord's Lutheran Church, 2900 W. Hefner Rd. OKC, OK, with burial to follow at 2:00 P.M. at Resthaven Cemetery, east of Shawnee, OK.

Ralph Alfred Fowler
Shawnee resident Ralph Alfred Fowler, 66, died Monday, March 21, in Shawnee.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Eddie A. and Ruth A. (Pennick) Fowler.

He is survived by his wife, Lavone Marie Fowler of the home.

Graveside service will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Calvary Cemetery with the Rev. Maurus Jaeb, O.S.B., officiating.

Walker Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.

Arville Lee Wilson
Longtime Seminole resident Arville "Dutch" Lee Wilson, 69, died Monday, March 21, at his home.

Service will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Swearingen Funeral Home, Seminole, with Dwight Wise officiating. Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery.

James W. Stapp
Tecumseh resident James W. Stapp, 81, died Monday, March 21, in Shawnee.

He was born Sept. 13, 1923, in Cleveland County to Arthur Richard and Stella (Sloat) Stapp.

He was reared west of Tecumseh and lived in Lubbock, Texas, after his military service before returning to Tecumseh.

He attended Knoles Grade School and was a 1942 graduate of Tecumseh High School, where he was valedictorian of his class.

He served in the U.S. Army as a communications specialist.

Stapp worked for Sears as a television technician for many years until his retirement.

He was a member of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Minnie Dezeller and Marie Stapp; and three brothers, Willie, Louis and E.L. Stapp.

Survivors include his sister, Juanita Stewart of Tecumseh; niece, Patricia Allen of San Diego, Calif.; two nephews, Robert S. Stewart of Tecumseh and Stanley A. Stewart of Claremore.

Graveside service will be 2 p.m. today at Tecumseh Cemetery with the Rev. Chad Brodrick officiating.

Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh is directing arrangements.

Audrey May Rusk

Sand Springs resident Audrey May Rusk, 78, died Tuesday, March 22, in Shawnee.

She was born Feb. 19, 1927, in San Francisco, Calif., to Basil Desormeaux and Elvita (Vaughn) Desormeaux.

On Oct. 31, 1945, she married Howard Rusk in San Francisco, Calif.

She was a homemaker.

Preceded in death by her parents, Basil and Elvita Desormeaux; a brother, Basil Desormeaux Jr., and a great-grandson, Hallex Bradley.

Survivors include her husband of almost 60 years, Howard Rusk of Sand Springs; daughter, Kathleen Musgrove of Sand Springs; her son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Ali Rusk of Shawnee; grandchildren, Jeff and Elizabeth Musgrove of Raleigh, N.C., Jeanne and Daniel Bradley of Sand Springs, Jason Musgrove of Sand Springs, Zack and Aunnie Musgrove of Sand Springs, Cindy and Tim McElrath of Shawnee, Mary and David Whiteman of Shawnee, Billy and Kristen Rusk of Meeker and Robert and Kristy Rusk of Tecumseh; and 18 great-grandchildren.

Memorial Mass will be 12:10 p.m. Wednesday at St. Benedicts Catholic Church in Shawnee with the Rev. Maurus Jaeb, O.S.B., officiating. Burial will be in Sand Springs.

James Thomas Williams

Shawnee resident James "Jim" Thomas Williams, 69, died Tuesday, March 22, at his home.

He was born June 11, 1935, in Paducah, Texas, to Vincent Nobel Williams and Lindy Estelle (Russell) Williams. He was a supervisor in the oil field business for Turner Brothers Trucking Company of Oklahoma City for many years and later was a deputy for the Pottawatomie County Sheriff's office.

On Jan. 9, 1952, he married Doris DeLaine Aldridge in Ector County, Odessa, Texas.

He was a member of the North East Freewill Baptist Church in Shawnee. He also had held membership in the National Rifle Association and the Lions Club.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Bill Williams.

Survivors include his wife, Doris Williams of the home; two daughters and sons-in-law, Wanda and Robert Grandstaff of Fort Smith, Ark., and Dianne and Stan Hackett of Wanette; two brothers, John Williams of Canton, Texas, and Robert Williams of Borger, Texas; grandchildren and spouses, Jennifer and Chris Calhoun of Mounds, Stephanie and Trevor Watkins of Konawa, Stan (J.R.) and Traci Hackett of Oklahoma City, Tamara DeLaine and Danny Reno of Booneville, Ark., and Genia Elizabeth Grandstaff of Fort Smith, Ark.; and five great-grandchildren.

Service will be 2 p.m. Friday at Resthaven Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Michael McCauley and the Rev. Ernie Mason officiating. Resthaven Funeral Home is directing arrangements

Lucille L. Rogers
Tecumseh resident Lucille L. Rogers, 89, died Tuesday, March 22, in Shawnee.

Service will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Cooper Funeral Chapel.

Other information is pending and will be announced by Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh.

Published Mar. 24, 2005

Alice Elvira Edwards

Longtime Ponca City resident Alice Elvira Edwards, 83, died Sunday, March 20, in an Enid hospital.
She was born in her maternal grandparents' home Dec. 31, 1921, to Carl Hanser and Nora Magdalene (Bray) Alsip in Pearson. She graduated from Saint Louis High School.

During World War II, she traveled and lived in various parts of the United States, including Virginia Beach, Va., Presque Isle and Caribou, Maine, and Ashville, N.C.

On July 31, 1947, she married Ralph Gordan Edwards in Crowell, Texas, and moved to Ponca City, where they lived all their married lives, with the exception of living one year in Enid.

She was a homemaker and worked at Ponca City Hospital on different floors and in X-ray and later went to work in the office of Dr. James Murphree.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and cousin, June Patchell.

Survivors include her daughter, Deborah Joyce Edwards Hron and husband, John William Hron IV, of Ponca City; one grandson, John William Hron V of Bartlesville; two brothers and a sister-in-law, Clifford Alsip of Oklahoma City and Bill and Erma Alsip of Tecumseh; and several nieces and nephews.

Service will be 2 p.m. today at First United Methodist Church in Ponca City with the Rev. Dr. J.D. Ward officiating. Burial will follow at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Ponca City.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Ponca City Humane Society, 900 W. Prospect, Ponca City, OK 74601.

Trout Funeral Home of Ponca City is directing arrangements.

Frances Pauline Trahan

Frances Pauline Trahan, 82, longtime resident of Ardmore, died Tuesday, March 22, in Ardmore.

She was born Feb. 15, 1923 in Comanche.

She worked 33 years for Coors Distributing Company, retiring in 1990 and worked 25 years for Shepler's Western Wear, retiring in 2000.

She was a longtime resident of Oklahoma City and the Newalla/Choctaw area.

Service will be 1:30 p.m. Friday at Don Grantham Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Billy Morgan officiating. Burial will follow at Resthaven Memorial Gardens in Duncan. Don Grantham Funeral Home of Duncan is directing arrangements.

Nadine Marie Hensley
Former Seminole County resident Nadine Marie Hensley, 72, died Monday, March 21, in Anaheim, Calif.

She was born Jan. 23, 1933, in Seminole County to Edith (Billings) Casteel and Evin Casteel. She attended Plover Hill and Prairie Valley schools.

In 1951, she married Gerald Don Hensley and they lived in Anaheim, Calif., for 47 years.

She worked for Southwestern Bell and Pacific Bell until her retirement.

She was preceded in death by her parents; mother and father-in-law, Gertrude and Deris Hensley; and brother-in-law, S.H. "Woody" Wood.

Survivors include her husband, Gerald Don Hensley of the home; daughter and son-in-law, Janice and Dan Newell; son and daughter-in-law, Rusty and Renee Hensley of California; sisters and brother-in-law, Sandra and Bob Green and Joyce Wood, all of Shawnee; and several nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.

Private services were held in Anaheim, Calif.

James W. Stapp
Tecumseh resident James W. Stapp, 81, died Monday, March 21, in Shawnee.

He was born Sept. 13, 1923, in Cleveland County to Arthur Richard and Stella (Sloat) Stapp.

He was reared west of Tecumseh and lived in Lubbock, Texas, after his military service before returning to Tecumseh.

He attended Knoles Grade School and was a 1942 graduate of Tecumseh High School, where he was valedictorian of his class.

He served in the U.S. Army as a communications specialist.

Stapp worked for Sears as a television technician for many years until his retirement.

He was a member of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Minnie Dezeller and Marie Stapp; and three brothers, Willie, Louis and E.L. Stapp.

Survivors include his sister, Juanita Stewart of Tecumseh; niece, Patricia Allen of San Diego, Calif.; two nephews, Robert S. Stewart of Tecumseh and Stanley A. Stewart of Claremore.

Graveside service will be 2 p.m. today at Tecumseh Cemetery with the Rev. Chad Brodrick officiating.

Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh is directing arrangements.

Published Mar. 25, 2005

Lawrence D. Wornom
Former Chandler resident Lawrence D. Wornom of Stillwater, 87, died Tuesday, March 22, in Stillwater.

He was born Feb. 4, 1918, in Argonia, Kan., to James D. and Edith (Larrance) Wornom.

Wornom graduated from high school in Woodward in 1935. He then graduated from Oklahoma A&M (OSU) in 1940 and attended graduate school at Harvard University.

On Aug. 21, 1942, he married Mary Love in Chandler.

He entered the U.S. Navy in 1941 as an ensign. He served in the Pacific during World War II. He served until 1953. After his dischange, he returned to Chandler and went to work for First National Bank. He retired from the bank after serving as president and chairman of the board for many years.

Wornom was a member of the First Christian Church in Chandler, where he served as trustee and choir member. He also was a member of the Rotary Club, American Legion and served on the Chandler City Council, Chandler City Planning Commission, the Industrial Authority and the Lincoln County Trust Authority. He was involved with the local 4-H Conservation Fair and the Boy Scouts of America. He helped with the development of the Will Rogers Camp in Cleveland and served as a member of the Lincoln County Conservation District Board starting in 1964 and was appointed by then Gov. David Boren to the Oklahoma Conservation Commission and served as its chairman.

Wornom received the Oklahoma Association District President's award in 1980 and received the Oklahoma Conservation Water Pioneer award in 1993. He was instrumental in the building of Lake Arcadia and saw a 30-year dream come true with the building of Bell Cow Lake in Chandler. He helped establish the Chandler Baseball Camp, Chandler Diener Mills and the Chandler Airport. He was named Most Valuable Citizen of Chandler in 1963.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife.

Survivors include his daughter, Katy Greenfield of Chandler; son and daughter-in-law, John L. and Beverly Wornom of Perry; grandchildren, Suzanne Greenfield of Norman, Nicholas Greenfield of Akron, Ohio, Jason Wornom of Luther, Sarah (Wornom) Holben and husband Matt of Arcadia; one brother and sister-in-law, Wayne and Marita Wornom of Oklahoma City; two sisters and brother-in-law, Kathryn Bridge of Russell, Kan., and Joyce and Carl Wright of Tulsa; and many relatives.

Service will be 3 p.m. today at First Christian Church of Chandler with the Rev. Fred Rider and the Rev. Paul Stewart officiating. Parks Brothers Funeral Service of Chandler is directing arrangements.

Genevieve L. Hale
Shawnee resident Genevieve L. "Jean" Hale, 83, died Thursday at a local nursing home.

She was born April 28, 1921, in Smithcenter, Kan., to Sam and Grace (Wolgeauch) Carver.

She married Glen Hale in New Mexico on July 28, 1941. He preceded her in death.

Genevieve worked as a secretary for an earthmoving company in Shawnee before retiring at the age of 76.

She was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church.

Also preceding her in death were her parents; three brothers, John Carver, Melvin Carver and Ralph Carver, and two sisters, Ada Machol and Lee Hale.

Survivors include two sisters, Ruth Ring of Crook, Colo.; Vera Ellis of Great Bend, Kan.; two brothers-in-law, Leon Hale of Eufaula and Ed Hale and his wife, Collene, of Carlsbad, N.M., and numerous nieces and nephews, including Leonna and Mike taber of Seminole.

Graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at Tecumseh Cemetery. Gaskill Funeral Chapel of Shawnee is directing arrangements.

Donald O. Tipton
Former Seminole resident Donald O. Tipton, 72, died Wednesday, March 23, at a Lewisville, Texas, Nursing Center.

Service will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Swearingen Funeral chapel with W. L. Sansing officiating. Burial will follow at Okmulgee Cemetery.

Swearingen Funeral Home of Seminole is directing arrangements.

Chloe Treadaway
Chloe Star Dawn Treadaway, infant daughter of Ashley Haseltine and Cody Treadaway of Tecumseh, died Wednesday, March 16, in Shawnee.

Service will be 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Cooper Funeral Chapel in Tecumseh with the Rev. Will Bentley officiating. Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh is directing arrangements.

Janice Ross
Harrah resident Janice "Kay" Ross, 63, died Tuesday, March 22, in Oklahoma City.

Service will be 10 a.m. Friday at First Baptist Church of Harrah with the Rev. Gary Eubanks officiating. Burial will follow at 3 p.m. at the Celestial Gardens Cemetery of Cyril under the direction of Smith~Parks Funeral Service of Harrah.

Gilbert Gordon Alley
Shawnee resident Gilbert Gordon Alley, 89, died Wednesday, March 23, in Oklahoma City.

He was born Nov. 8, 1915, in Parks, Ark., to James Julius and Cerrilla Cordelia (Blackwell) Alley. He moved to Welty at the age of 9. After he graduated from Mason High School, he joined the military and lived in California, Kansas, Texas and Illinois. He moved to the Shawnee area following his retirement from the U.S. Air Force, where he and his wife have resided every since.

He served with the U.S. Air Force during World War II and the Korean Conflict.

On Nov. 12, 1942, he married Judith B. Wixon in Tulsa.

Following his retirement from the military, he worked as an aircraft mechanic at Tinker Air Force Base. He also retired from TAFB. He then turned to farming.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters and two brothers.

Surviviors include his wife, Judith B. Alley of the home; daughter and son-in-law, Maryon L. and Harold W. Shaver of Yukon; son, Gerald Gordon Alley of Shreveport, La.; five grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; two brothers, Talmadge Alley and James Julius Alley, both of Inola; four sisters, Birdie Lovell of Henrietta, Texas, Oleana Seale of Choctaw, Ruby E. Incerto of Yukon and Helen Ruth Jones of El Reno; and numerous other relatives.

Service will be 10 a.m. today at Cooper Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Will Bentley officiating. Burial will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park.

Published Mar. 26, 2005

Dulce Maria Fraire
Dulce Maria Fraire, newborn daughter of Ana and Luis Fraire, was stillborn Wednesday, March 23.
Service will be 10 a.m. today at the chapel of Walker Funeral Service with burial following at Calvary Cemetery.

Grady H. Musgrove
Former Paden resident Grady H. Musgrove, 92, died Thursday, March 24, in Harrah.
Service will be 10 a.m. today at the Paden Holiness Church with the Rev. Paul Heard officiating. Burial will follow at Paden Cemetery.

Parks Brothers Funeral Service in Prague is directing arrangements.

Velma Ann Harwell
Shawnee resident Velma Ann Harwell, 90, died Thursday, March 24, in Shawnee.

Service will be 10 a.m. Monday at Parks Brothers Funeral Service in Prague with the Rev. Starland Davis officiating. Burial will follow at the Prague Cemetery.

Parks Brothers Funeral Service in Prague is directing arrangements.

Robert B. Jimenez
Harrah resident Robert B. "Junkyard Bob" Jimenez, 58, died Thursday, March 24.

Memorial service will be 2 p.m. Monday at St. Teresa's Catholic Church, Harrah, with the Rev. Alan Loth officating.

Smith-Parks Funeral Service in Harrah is directing arrangements.

Odessa Weber
Catoosa resident Odessa Weber, 93, died Friday, March 25.

Graveside service will be 2 p.m. Monday at Davenport Cemetery.

Parks Brothers Funeral Service of Stroud is directing arrangements

Vesta Faye Youell
Oklahoma City resident Vesta Faye Youell, 76, died Friday, March 25.

Service will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at Parks Brothers Funeral Chapel in Stroud. Burial will follow at Kendrick Cemetery, Kendrick .

Parks Brothers Funeral Service of Stroud is directing arrangements.

Published Mar. 29, 2005

Margaret Yarnell Pyle Boynton

Margaret Yarnell Pyle Boynton, 93, died Sunday, March 27, in Shawnee.

She was born Sept. 25, 1911, in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, to Mattie Bell and E.C. Pyle where E.C. was homesteading. The family moved to Pauls Valley while she was a baby.

She graduated from Pauls Valley High School and spent her college freshman year at Lindenwood College in Missouri. She transferred to the University of Oklahoma where she was a member of Delta Gamma sorority, graduating with a B.S. degree in chemistry.

She was married July 9, 1939, to James F. "Jimmie" Boynton. They celebrated their 60th anniversary before Jimmie's death in 1999.

They moved to Shawnee in 1948 and joined the First Presbyterian Church where she was active in women's circle and other church activities, teaching Sunday school for 42 years. She also taught elementary school for many years in the 1960s and '70s.

The Boynton's first son, James Field Boynton Jr., was born in Abilene, Texas, in September 1943 and died one week later.

She is survived by her daughter, Martha Boynton of Columbia, SC; son and daughter-in-law, John and Myra Boynton of Dallas, Texas; niece, Eleanor Hicks of Moore; sister, Mary Irene Howell of Norman; five grandchildren, Kathryn Elizabeth Narron, Gregory Cannon Doyel, John Mark Boynton, James Kent Boynton and Peter Andrew Boynton, and two great-grandsons.

Viewing will be at Walker Funeral Service until 8 p.m. today. The casket will not be opened at the service at 11 a.m. Wednesday at United Presbyterian Church, 330 N. Beard. The Rev. Sue Trei-Conrad will officiate. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.

Virginia Lee Eddings

Shawnee resident Virginia Lee Eddings, 78, died Friday, March 25, in Shawnee.

She was born April 26, 1926, in Asher to Warren and Jennie (Decker) Sullivan.

She attended Cloverdale School and graduated in 1944 from Saint Louis High School. A longtime resident of Pottawatomie County, she lived in Shawnee for 57 years. She was the owner/operator of the Snowboy Snowcone Stand on South Beard for 40 years. Prior to that, she had worked at Sylvania and also briefly at Douglas Aircraft at the end of World War II.

She married her high school sweetheart, Dorsey Dohn Crouse, Sept. 9, 1944, in Saint Louis. They made their home in Monahans, Texas, until Dorsey's death in 1948.

She married George W. Eddings Jr., in Seminole on Jan. 15, 1949, and made their home in Shawnee. They divorced in 1970.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands; her brother, Douglas Eugene Sullivan, and her daughter, Grace Charlene Kemper.

Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Karen Smith-McCullar and Olan McCullar of Seminole; daughter, Jana Blalock of Shawnee; grandchildren, LaDonna and Rusty McAlvain, Brandon Smith, Brent and Lesa Johnson, Danielle Hastings, and Jennifer Blalock; seven great-grandchildren; her brother, Don Sullivan of Shawnee, and brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Ellie Sullivan of Taft, Calif.

Service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Walker Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Leroy Kerbo officiating. Burial will be at Oak Grove Cemetery in Pottawatomie County.

Emma Louise Wilkins-Winkler

Longtime McLoud resident Emma Louise Wilkins-Winkler, 79, died Saturday, March 26, in Tecumseh.

Service will be 2 p.m. today at Cooper Funeral Chapel of Tecumseh with the Rev. Leroy Kerbo officiating. Burial will be at Dale Cemetery.

She was born March 10, 1926, in Clarksville, Texas, to John L. and Dottie Mae (Carr) Mauldin. She attended school in Dale.

She married Thomas E. Wilkins Dec. 5, 1942. She later married Edward J. Winkler on April 17, 1993. He preceded her in death in 1997.

She retired from the U.S. Post Office in 1988 after 31 years of service.

She also was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Vernon, Cecil and John-Chock Mauldin; three sisters, Linnie Mauldin, Lorene Black and Jewell Garner; and one great-grandchild, Kassidy Wilkins.

Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Edward and Joyce Ann Wilkins of Shawnee and Larry and Beverly Wilkins of McLoud; two brothers and three sisters-in-law, Travis and Christine Mauldin of McLoud, Joe and Joyce Mauldin of Shawnee and Leta Mae Hendershott; grandchildren and their spouses, Edward and Shelly Wilkins of Cummings, Ga.; Russ and Karen Wilkins of Alpharetta, Ga.; Andrew and Sandra Wilkins of Meeker; Kimberly Wilkins of McLoud; Kathy and Mark Koch of Bethel; Shandra Wilkins of McLoud, and three great-grandchildren.

Keith H. Moydell
Prague resident Keith H. Moydell, 80, died Sunday, March 27, in Prague.

He was born Nov. 22, 1924, in Prague to Charles and Lulu (Sedlacek) Moydell. He graduated from Centerview High School and served overseas during World War II with the U.S. Navy.

He married Inez Orlene Green June 15, 1949, in Davis. She preceded him in death on Oct., 10, 1990.

He owned and operated the NAPA Auto Supply Store in Talihina from 1960 until his retirement in 1990 when he returned to Prague.

Moydell was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church of Prague and a member of the American Legion.

He also was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers, four sisters and one nephew, Rondell Bradley.

Survivors include nieces and nephews, Delores Bradley of Prague, David and Nita Moydell of Chickasha, Mike and Joyce Moydell of Newalla, Linda and Warren Strickler of Prague, Rod and Charlotte Goodwin of Prague, Tom and Mary Ellen Turner of Prague, Cathy and Jack Branstetter of Enid, Mary Keith and Tommy Eaton of Newalla; his companion, Juanita Kelton; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Delmar and Wanda Green of Tulsa; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Alene and Jerry Williams of Prague, Elizabeth Moydell of Shawnee, Rae Moydell of Oklahoma City, and many other relatives.

Service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Parks Brothers Funeral Chapel in Prague with Dr. Warren Danskin officiating. Burial will follow at the Prague Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 397, Prague OK 74864.

Velda Mae Ogburn
Former Konawa resident Velda Mae Ogburn, 83, died Monday, March 28, in Duncan.

Graveside service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at Konawa Cemetery with the Rev. Winston Curtis officiating.

Pickard-Swearingen Funeral Home of Konawa is directing arrangements

Shirley Jean Ward
Enid resident Shirley Jean Ward, 65, died Thursday, March 24, in Las Vegas, Nev.

Graveside service will be 2 p.m. today at the Davenport Cemetery with Michael Ward officiating.

Parks Brothers Funeral Service of Chandler is directing arrangements.

Gracey Kay Cheek
Gracey Kay Cheek, daughter of Robert G. and Rachel Renee (Chroup) Cheek of Earlsboro, was stillborn Saturday, March 26, at a local hospital.

A private service will be held under the direction of Walker Funeral Service

Lonnie Lee Presley
Lonnie Lee Presley, 56, died Monday, March 28, at his Wewoka home.

Service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Swearingen Funeral Home of Seminole with Rick Harrison officiating. Burial will be at Mapel Grove Cemetery.

Geneva Rea Moore

Shawnee resident Geneva Rea Moore, 74, died Sunday, March 27, at her home.

She was born Dec. 12, 1930, in Rea Valley, Ark., to George Allen and Ruby (Rea) Loman.

She graduated from Shawnee High School in 1948.

She was married Aug. 2, 1953, in Shawnee to Harold Moore.

Moore lived in Shawnee most of her life. She was a homemaker and a member of Temple Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Roy Loman.

Survivors include her husband, Harold Moore of the home; two sons and daughters-in-law, Teddy and Dottie Moore of Success, Mo., and Terry and Scarlet Moore of Oklahoma City; five grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law, Lucian and Wanda Loman of Fayetteville, Ark.; sister and brother-in-law, Louise and Robert Ramsey of Grandview, Mo.; sister-in-law, Mary Lou Loman; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Service will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Walker Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Mike Craig officiating assisted by Ted Moore. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery under the direction of Walker Funeral Service of Shawnee.

Eva L. Roberts Ice
In memory of Eva L. Roberts Ice, beloved wife of John Michael, daughter of Clarence (Pepper) and Ruby Forston Roberts, sister of Harold Ray and Thelma Roberts; aunt of Pam and Ken Morrison, and Barbara and Charles Rogers; great aunt to Amanda and Travis Cumbey, Scott and Heather Morrison; and several great, great nieces and nephews.

She made better the lives of us and of all her friends, co-workers, and old friends, classmates from Shawnee, Oklahoma Baptist University and the University of Michigan, as well as people she met in business locally and throughout the United States. Those who will not know she has passed will still from time to time recall her memory. Someone in Heaven called her home, on a good day, Good Friday, 2005.

Funeral Services will be Tuesday, March 29, 2005 at 1:00 p.m. in the chapel of Resthaven Funeral Home in Oklahoma City. Interment will follow in Resthaven Memory Gardens in OKC.

Resthaven Funeral Home
500 S.W. 104th
OKC, OK 73139

Published Mar. 30, 2005

Johnny Woods Jr.
Asher resident Johnny "Jay" Woods, Jr., 27, died Sunday, March 27, in Asher.

He was born Dec. 12, 1977, in Oklahoma City to Johnny Lee and Angela (Witt) Woods.

He was married July 12, 2003, in Oklahoma City to Lisa (Kile) Woods.

Woods was a diesel mechanic. He lived in the Byars, Konawa and Asher area most of his life.

He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Bud Witt and Bill Woods.

Survivors include his wife, Lisa Woods of Asher; son, Takoda Lynn Ray of Asher; daughter, Taylor Nicole Ray of Asher; parents, Angela and Danny Strawn of Oil Center, and Johnny Lee and Vicki Woods Sr. of Prague; four brothers, Mickey Woods and Jachin Woods of Prague and Nathan Strawn and Christian Strawn of Oil Center; one sister, Ashlee Strawn of Oil Center; grandparents A.J. and Juanita Moore of Konawa and Jewell Woods of Midwest City.

Service will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Pentecostal Holiness Church in Oil Center with the Rev. Farron Oliver officiating. Burial will be a Maxwell Cemetery under the direction of Pickard Funeral of Stratford.

Vernon Ross Tebe
Seminole resident Vernon Ross Tebe, 31, died Saturday, Mar. 26, in his home.

Wake service was held Tuesday at Swearingen Funeral Chapel.

Service will be 2 p.m. Thursday at God's Glory Temple with Buddy Harjo and Hershal Davis officiating. Burial will be at Tebe Cemetery in Sasakwa under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home of Seminole.

Published Mar. 31, 2005

Dean D. Bratcher
Dean D. Bratcher, 77, of Noble, died March 28, 2005 at home. Funeral services will be 2PM Thursday March 31, 2005 at Guardian-Norman Funeral Home with burial to follow at Noble I.O.O.F. Cemetery. A visitation will be held Wednesday from 5PM to 8PM. Guardian-Norman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Dean was born June 15, 1927 in Tribbey, Oklahoma to Lige and Ida (Ginn) Bratcher as the second of ten children. He graduated from Tribbey High School. He served honorably in the US NAVY aboard the USS Ganter. He graduated from Oklahoma State University and was an avid Cowboys fan. He married Zelma McKiddy in Gainesville, Texas on September 2, 1949 and they raised four children together. He retired from Materials Management with Tinker Air Force Base in 1982. Dean loved playing golf, fishing, singing, and ranching. He was a member of Etowah Baptist Church for over 45 years serving as Sunday School Teacher and Director and the Music Leader. He served on the Board of Directors of Oklahoma Electric Cooperative for 21 years and 8 years on the Board of Directors for Western Farmers Electric Cooperative. His grandchildren were extra special to him and each one felt like they were the most important one of all the grandchildren.

Dean is survived by his wife Zelma of the home; his two daughters Deanna Coventon and her husband Wayne of Oklahoma City and Retha Asklund and her husband Dan of Ada; his two sons Curt Bratcher and his wife Dianne of Moore and Kevin Bratcher of the home; his grandchildren Robyn Coventon of Moore, Ryan Coventon of Oklahoma City, Mandy Bean and her husband Clint of Centerton, Arkansas, Missy Schubert and her husband Gary of Springdale, Arkansas, Blake and Daniel Bratcher of Moore; and one great granddaughter on the way; his brothers Harold Lloyd Bratcher of Midwest City, J.T. Bratcher of Lawton, Derrell Bratcher of Eufaula, and Larry Bratcher of Choctaw; his sister Lavon Parson of Tecumseh; and many nieces and nephews.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers Gordon Bratcher, Jerry Bratcher, Jim Bratcher, Jack Bratcher.

Wilbur Dean Moore
Tulsa resident Wilbur Dean "W.D." Moore, 75, died Wednesday, Mar. 30, in Tulsa.

He was born December 15, 1929, in Meeker to the late Clifton W. and Jewel Faye (Flowers) Moore.

He was an Air Force Veteran of the Korean War. He retired as a mechanic from McDonnell Douglas with 33 years of service. He was a 32nd Degree Mason and Shriner and a member of Daylight Lodge #542. He also was a member of the NRA and the ABATE Motorcycle Club.

Survivors include two sisters, Margaret Ann Yeager of Chandler and Delois Sackett of Oklahoma City; brother, Bob Moore of Oklahoma City, two nieces, Debbie Dickson and Rhonda Bruno; nephew Greg Yeager; four great nephews and a dear friend and companion, Eva Brown, and her children and grandchildren.

Service will be 11 a.m. Friday at Freeman Harris Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be 2 p.m. at New Hope Cemetery in Meeker under the direction of Freeman Harris Funeral Home of Tulsa

Bessie Newell
Tecumseh resident Bessie Newell, 92, died Wednesday, March 30, in Shawnee.

She was born March 11, 1913, in Joplin, Mo., to Edward R. and Mary A. (Bryson) Cooper.

She moved with her family from Joplin to a farm outside of Wanette at the age of 6.

She was married Sept. 16, 1931, in Konawa to E.W. "Whank" Newell. He preceded her in death on Jan. 20, 1980.

Newell and her husband farmed and ranched in the Wanette area for many years. She moved to Tecumseh in 2002. She was a Pottawatomie resident for 86 years.

She was a homemaker and a member of the Avoca Church of Christ and the Wanette Senior Citizens Center.

She also was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Charles Edward Newell; three brothers, Roy, Dudley and Ralph Cooper; three sisters, Fleta Hickerson, Grace McPherson and Deverna Cooper.

Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Janet and Bob Birks of Asher; two sons and daughters-in-law, Jim and Donna Newell of Jefferson, Texas, and Eddie and Cheryl Newell of Shawnee; one sister, Beulah Snell of Stockton, Calif.; one brother, Richard Cooper of Modesto, Calif.; five grandchildren and their spouses, Teresa and David Selman, Shelley and John Hannegan, Stacey and Paul J. Davis, Bryan and Keri Newell and Derek and Jessie Newell; 20 great-grandchildren; and numerous other relatives.

Family will receive friends 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at Cooper Funeral Home.

Service will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Avoca Church of Christ with the Rev. D.W. "Red" Barnes officiating. Burial will be at Wanette Cemetery under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh.

Elnora Bailey Williams
Tecumseh resident Elnora "Bunny" Bailey Williams, 75, died Tuesday, March 29, in Shawnee.

She was born Dec. 28, 1929, in Harjo to George Lester and Molly Richards.

She was a lifelong resident of Harjo, attending Harjo schools.

She was married July 16, 1946, in Maud to W.B. Bailey, who preceded her in death in 1983. She then married Virgil L. Williams April 26, 1986.

Williams was a homemaker and a member of Trinity Baptist Church, Maud.

She also was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Vernon L. Richards and one sister, Clara Ann Wiley.

Survivors include her husband, Virgil L. Williams of the home; two sons and daughters-in-law, Johnnie and Lou Ann Bailey of Enid and Eddie and Susie Bailey of Harjo; stepchildren and their spouses, Leslie J. and Anne K. Williams of Lewisville, Ark., Garry and Kenna Williams of Smackover, Ark., and Freddie L. Williams of Kilgore, Texas; three sisters and brothers-in-law, Loretta and Joe Nadeau of Earlsboro, Donna and Harold Ebers of Hennessey and Linda and Jessie Deen of Montica, Calif.; two brothers and sister-in-law, Leon and Vivan Richards of Wichita, Kan., and Randy Richards of Hennessey; three grandchildren, Scott Bailey of Houston, Steve Bailey of Enid and Jessica Lairson of Harjo; stepgrandchildren, Janice Duguid of Smackover, Ark., Lavonda Menard of Lewisville, Ark., Kristi Rose of Mount Holly, Ark., Jeffrey Williams of Calion, Ark., Matthew Williams of Smackover, Ark., Barbara Williams of Kilgore, Texas, and Daniel Williams of Emerson, Ark.; three great-grandchildren; 14 step-great-grandchildren and numerous family.

Service will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Cooper Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Wayne Taylor officiating. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery in Maud under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh.

Joe Hart
Shawnee resident Joe Hart, 94, died Monday, Mar. 28, in Wewoka.

Graveside service will be 10:30 a.m. Friday with the Rev. Jeff Burress officiating. Walker Funeral Service is directing arrangements.

Johnny Dwayne Jett
Tecumseh resident Johnny Dwayne Jett, 56, died Monday, March 28, in Wewoka.

He was born Sept. 21, 1948, in Shawnee to James and Winnie (Wall) Jett.

Jett was a lifelong resident of Tecumseh. He attended Tecumseh schools. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam era. He was a barber in the Shawnee and Tecumseh area. He was with Del Plaza at the time of his death.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Jimmy Dale Jett.

Survivors include his parents, James and Winnie Jett of Tecumseh; sister and brother-in-law, Kay and Dwight Wise of Tecumseh; sister-in-law and spouse, Sally (Jett) and Terry Jackson of Shawnee; several nieces and nephews and other family.

Service will be 2 p.m. Friday at Evangelistic Center Church with Mark McIntosh and the Rev. Robert Rider officiating. Burial will be at Tecumseh Cemetery under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh.