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

submitted by Kay Sugg Best

published Feb. 01, 2005

Carlita Louise Moon
Quinton resident Carlita Louise McCraw Moon, 60, died Friday, Jan. 28, in Quinton.
She was born Feb. 18, 1944, in Shawnee to Robert Henry and Lena Lantha (Dehart) McCraw. She was raised in Shawnee and lived in Quinton for the last 21 years.

She graduated from Tribbey High School and earned her associate degree in business from Eastern State College in Wilburton.

In 1965, she married Delbert Moon. She was a homemaker.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother and four sisters.

Survivors include her husband, Delbert Moon of the home; two daughters and sons-in-law, Monique and Rodney Williams of Noble and Elsie and Eddie Floyd of Quinton; two sons and daughters-in-law, Douglas and Marianne Moon of Columbus, Ind., and Patrick and Laura Moon of Fredericksburg, Va.; five grandchildren, Christopher Moon, Matthew Moon, Christopher Jordan, Kathrine Jordan and Kyndal Yates; three sisters, Laura Malsbury of Shawnee, Virginia Harris of Shawnee and Abbie Maxwell of Tecumseh; and two brothers, Charles McCraw of Antioch, Calif., and Harold McCraw of Tecumseh.

Graveside service will be 2 p.m. today at Pleasant Valley Cemetery with Ron Lang officiating.

Cooper Funeral Home is directing arrangements.

Ruth L. Goodnight
Prague resident Ruth L. Goodnight, 78, died Monday, Jan. 31, in Cushing.

She was born April 1, 1926, in Johnson to Lonnie Bass and Alma Gene (Smith) Dickenson.

On Nov. 3, 1945, she married Marvin Elder Goodnight in Shawnee. He preceded her in death on April 13, 1992.

She was a homemaker and a member of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church for 65 years.

She also was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Vernon and Lonnie Dickenson; and two sisters, Maurine Hale and Lena Washington.

Survivors include her sons, Dale Goodnight of Prague and Jimmy Don Goodnight and wife Klona of Prague; sisters and brothers-in-law, Jessie Hunton of Prairie Grove, Ark., Bessie Melton of Prague, Myrtle and Willie Hood of Shawnee, Alene Vasquez of Shawnee, and Frankie and George Bland of Shawnee; grandchildren, Stephanie and Chris Lee, Jimmy and Jana Goodnight, Charlotte Goodnight and Justin Goodnight; three great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; and brother-in-law, Melvin Goodnight of Prague.

Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at Parks Brothers Funeral Home in Prague.

Service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at Parks Brothers Funeral Chapel in Prague with the Rev. Kevin Wehrli officiating and Chris Lee assisting. Burial will follow at Johnson Cemetery in Pottawatomie County.

Parks Brothers Funeral Service in Prague is directing arrangements.

Louise Idabelle Simpson
Tecumseh resident Louise Idabelle Simpson, 86, died Saturday, Jan. 29, at a Tecumseh nursing home.

Graveside service will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Prairie Lawn Cemetery in Wellington, Kan., with the Rev. Jim Beaumont officiating.

Day Funeral Home and Crematory in Wellington, Kan., is directing arrangements.

Catherine Elizabeth Wallace
Seminole resident Catherine Elizabeth (Nance) Wallace, 72, died Saturday, Jan. 29, at a Seminole nursing home.

Service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Swearingen Funeral Chapel.

Swearingen Funeral Home is directing arrangements

Eunita Clifton

Shawnee resident Eunita Clifton, 81, died Sunday, Jan. 30, at an Oklahoma City hospital.

She was born Aug. 1, 1923, in Tillman County, Hunter Township, to Tracy Phillip Haught and Pearl Leona (Fort) Haught.

She graduated from Leedey High School in 1942.

Clifton was a member of Rock Creek Baptist Church.

On March 4, 1943, she married Virgil Dee Clifton in Arapaho. They moved to a farm east of Shawnee Aug. 18, 1948.

She was a homemaker.

She was preceded in death by her husband; son, Larry Clifton; and daughter, Carol Dettmann.

Survivors include four daughters and sons-in-law, Connie and Donnie Heffley, Donna and John Schwegman, Gayla and Ralph Casey and Rita and Jerry Campbell; son-in-law, Rich Dettman; 13 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren.

Service will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Rock Creek Baptist Church with the Rev. Richard Zimmer officiating. Burial will be at Tecumseh Cemetery.

Walker Funeral Service is directing arrangements.

Carrie Ann Clark
Ada resident Carrie Ann Clark, 27, died Friday, Jan. 28, in Ada.

Service will be 10 a.m. today at the Parks Brothers Funeral Home Chapel in Okemah. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery in Okemah.

Parks Brothers Funeral Home, Okemah, is directing arrangements

Howard L. Keel
Longtime Meeker resident Howard L. Keel, 72, died Saturday, Jan. 29, in Meeker.

Service will be 2 p.m. today at Living Waters Tabernacle in Meeker with Donna Morton officiating. Burial will follow at New Hope Cemetery.

Parks Brothers Funeral Service is directing arrangements.

Howard Ray McLaughlin

Seminole resident Howard Ray McLaughlin, 70, died Sunday, Jan. 30, at his home.

He was born Jan. 23, 1935, in Carnegie to Robert Daniel McLaughlin and Goldie Mae Reinking.

He lived in Shawnee until nine years ago when he moved to Seminole.

McLaughlin was employed at Shawnee Milling Co. until his retirement.

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

Survivors include two sons, Michael McLaughlin and Dan McLaughlin, both of Shawnee; one daughter, Diana Heffley of Midwest City; one brother, Vernon McLaughlin of Shawnee; one sister, Mildred Edmonds of Longview, Miss.; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Service will be 10 a.m. today at Swearingen Funeral Home chapel, Seminole, with the Rev. Art and Pat Coffey officiating. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery, Shawnee.

Swearingen Funeral Home is directing arrangements.

published Feb. 02, 2005

Jimmie Randel Cox
Shawnee resident Jimmie Randel Cox, 71, died Monday, Jan. 31, at his home.
He was born Nov. 12, 1933, in Shawnee to Tom and Dosha Harmon-Cox.

He graduated from Shawnee High School and later attended college.

On Aug. 7, 1952, he married Lola Dobbs in Seminole.

Cox worked as a production control supervisor with Aero Commander and had worked with small personal aircraft.

He was a lifetime member of Trinity United Methodist Church and was a member of the Seminole Elks Lodge.

He was preceded in death by his father; brother, Jerry Cox; and two sisters, Nancy Windel and Linda Cox.

Survivors include his wife, Lola Cox of the home; four sons, Steve Cox of Shawnee, Jimmie Cox of Wellston, David Cox of Shawnee and Timothy Cox of Shawnee; two daughters, Cathy Robinson of Shawnee and Karen Cox of Great Falls, Mont.; mother, Dosha Sayers of Shawnee; two brothers, Tommy Cox of Athens, Tenn., and Dick Cox of Sand Springs; numerous grandchildren; great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

Service will be 1:30 p.m. today at Trinity United Methodist Church.

Gaskill Funeral Home is directing arrangements.

Rita Joyce Hall Walker
Boulder, Colo., resident Rita Joyce Hall Walker, 58, died Thursday, Jan. 27, in Boulder.

She was born March 27, 1946, in Shawnee to Harold R. Hall and Elsie V. Hale Hall.

She earned a bachelor of arts degree from The University of Oklahoma in 1968.

She was in social work for 38 years, 25 of those in Boulder.

She received the Boulder County Circle of Honor award and the Boulder County Employee of the Month award for February 1989 from Boulder County Social Services.

In 1968, she married Bob Walker in Oklahoma City.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Survivors include a son, Brett Walker of Austin, Texas; two brothers, Ron Hall of Albuquerque, N.M., and Carroll Hall of Austin, Texas.

A memorial service was held Saturday, Jan. 30, at Crist Mortuary, 3395 Penrose Place, Boulder, Colo.

published Feb. 03, 2005

Jessie Mercenie Eckert
Asher resident Jessie Mercenie Eckert, 98, died Tuesday, Feb. 1, at a Purcell hospital.
She was born Sept. 4, 1906, in Bryan County to Jessie McFarland and Mercenie Emerline Speers.

She attended school at Rock Springs in Caney.

On Nov. 2, 1931, she married Edward Lewis Eckert in Bryan County. He preceded her in death in 1958.

Eckert has lived in the Asher area for the past 28 years. Previously, she lived in Purcell.

She was a homemaker until her husband's death. She then went to work in Asher as cook and waitress.

She also was preceded in death by her parents; twin brother, Joseph Lessie Speers and his wife, Elnora Ruth; niece, Patricia Hale; seven brothers, John, Bill, Mack, Frank, Abnor, Albert and Thomas; and sister, Mary Cravens.

Survivors include her nephew, Billy Ed Speers and wife Gwen of Midwest City; nieces, Lessie Lee Holt and husband Bruce of Asher, Mary Kathryn Johnson and husband Glen of Broken Arrow, Naomi Ruth Culp and husband Bob of Newcastle, Barbara Jane Fowler and husband Darl of Asher and Linda Sue Coker and husband Jack of Asher; and numerous other nieces; nephews; great-nieces, and great-nephews.

Service will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Asher First Baptist Church. Burial will be at Wanette Cemetery.

Wadley's Funeral Service in Purcell is directing arrangements.

Martha Rose Pitts
Seminole resident Martha Rose Pitts, 72, died Monday, Jan. 31, in Seminole.

Graveside service will be 2 p.m. Friday at Rest Haven Memorial Gardens in Seminole with the Rev. Roy Robertson officiating.

Swearingen Funeral Home is directing arrangements

J.R. Richardson Jr.
Pauls Valley resident J.R. "Punch" Richardson Jr., 85, died Tuesday, Feb. 1, in Pauls Valley.

Service will be 2 p.m. today at the First Baptist Church of Pauls Valley with the Rev. Dr. Joe Elam officiating. Burial will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery.

Stufflebean-Coffey Funeral Home is directing arrangements

published Feb. 04, 2005

Carl Walter Peercy
Carl Walter Peercy, 92, died Monday, Feb. 1.

He was born Jan. 18, 1913, in Oliver Springs, Tenn., to William Bart and Maud Ellen (Upchuch) Peercy.

He lived in Kentucky until 13 when his family moved to Oklahoma. He worked most of his life in oilfield construction and retired from the Department of Transportation, where he worked in the road maintenance department.

Peercy is preceded in death by his parents, William and Maud Peercy; his brothers, Earnest A. Peercy, Larnce J. Peercy, Haral Peercy, Billy G. Peercy, Willard Peercy, Tack Peercy, Jack Peercy; and one sister, Rema Grimes.

Survivors include his wife, Mildred of Tecumseh; son, Mack and his wife, Karen, Peercy of Tecumseh; three grandchildren, Michael and wife Tori Peercy, Kara Dillman and Marty Peercy; eight great-grandchildren; two sisters, Jean Smith of Yukon and Jo Myers of Okemah; many nieces and nephews and other relatives.

Service will be 1 p.m. today at Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Tecumseh. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Wewoka with the Rev. Mike Raines. Arrangements are under the direction of Stout-Phillips Funeral Home of Wewoka.

Ellis David Casteel
Seminole resident Ellis David Casteel, 89, died Wednesday, Feb. 2, in Seminole.

Service will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel in Seminole with the Rev. Harold Turner officiating.

Burial will follow at Little Cemetery. Swearingen Funeral Home of Seminole is directing arrangements

published Feb. 05, 2005

Georgia Belle Welborn

Meeker resident Georgia Belle (Barnes) Welborn, 75, died Wednesday, Feb. 2, in an Oklahoma City hospital.

She was born Dec. 18, 1929, in Shawnee to Willie Hute Barnes and Gladys (Douglas) Barnes.

She attended Jarvis and Prairie Valley schools.

On Oct. 22, 1948, she married J. W. Welborn in Gainesville, Texas. He preceded her in death on Nov. 19, 2004.

They owned J. W. Welborn Trucking Co. of Shawnee.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Meeker.

She also is preceded in death by her parents, infant son, Billy Don Welborn; brothers, Donald Barnes and Johnny Price Barnes; sisters, Margaret Sykora, Elaine Jeffcoat and Geraldine Barnes; and mother and father-in-law, Rosa and Jim Welborn.

Survivors include three daughters, Pat Welborn Kaplan of Houston, Texas, Beverly Welborn Ball and husband Greg of Meeker and Karen Welborn Mills and husband Chuck of Shawnee; grandson, Matt Kaplan of Houston, Texas; granddaughters, Britan Mills and Kurstyn Mills of Shawnee; sister, Eleanor Hammons of Pryor; brothers and sisters-in-law, Edd and Retha Barnes of Tecumseh, Leroy and Susie Barnes of Oklahoma City, Dayton and Linda Barnes of Seminole, Darrell Barnes of Shawnee and Kenneth and Carolyn Barnes of Shawnee.

Service will be 2 p.m. today at the First Baptist Church of Shawnee with the Rev. Joe Jones officiating. Burial will be at New Hope Cemetery in Meeker under the direction of Walker Funeral Service.

Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Meeker Building Fund.

published Feb. 08, 2005

Mary Ethel Guinn

Former Maud resident Mary Ethel Guinn, 83, died Sunday, Feb. 6, in Norman.
She was born Aug. 3, 1921, in Columbus, Ga., to Arnold Z. Foster and Ethel "Gordie" (Brooks) Foster.

She was a homemaker. She also worked for the Green Thumb program as secretary for Maud Middle School. She worked at Wrangler in the shipping department from 1976 until 1984.

She married Jack V. Guinn Dec. 22, 1948, in Columbus, Ga. He preceded her in death Oct. 13, 1970.

She was a member of the Maud Trinity Baptist Church, the Maud Rebekah Lodge and served all the local offices and served as a district deputy several times.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Marvin Gordon Foster; and three sisters, Margret Cyr, June Holmes and Berry Jean Slayton.

Survivors include three sons and daughters-in-law, W.E. "Buster" and Thesha Brock of Norman, Lance and Melody Guinn of Midlothian, Texas, and Jerry and Gracie Guinn of Grove; brother and sister-in-law, Darrell and Berry Foster of Riverside, Calif.; sister and brother-in-law, Louise and Billy Shores of Phenix City, Ala.; grandchildren, David Brock of Norman, Angela Norman and her husband, Dale, of Houston, Texas, Tyrel Guinn of Oklahoma City, Amy Guinn of Konawa, Jake Guinn of Grove, and Jered Guinn and his wife, Joan, of Shawnee; and eight great-grandchildren.

Service will be 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at Trinity Baptist Church with the Rev. Carl Whitfield officiating. Burial will be at Cummings Cemetery in Maud.

Knight-Swearingen Funeral Home is directing arrangements

Robert Harrison Caldwell
Seminole resident Robert Harrison Caldwell, 80, died Monday, Feb. 7, in Seminole.

Graveside service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Resthaven Memorial Park with the Rev. Gary Wilburn officiating.

Willie E. Smith-Blackwood
Konawa resident Willie E. Smith-Blackwood, 91, died Sunday, Feb. 6, in Ada.

Service will be 2 p.m. today at Pickard-Swearingen Funeral Chapel with Pam Shirk officiating. Burial will be at Vamoosa Cemetery

Edna Ida Abbott

Shawnee resident Edna Ida Abbott, 93, died Saturday, Feb. 5, in Shawnee.

She was born Jan. 6, 1912, near Verden and grew up on a farm north of Verden.

She was married June 1, 1947, to Charlie Abbott. They moved to Shawnee in 1948.

Abbott was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church of Shawnee. She was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, parents and siblings, Fred, Ernestine, Albert and Ada Mae.

Survivors include her sons and daughters-in-law, Martin and Loetta Abbott of Shawnee and Marvin and Phyllis Abbott of Oklahoma City; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. She also is survived by many other relatives and friends.

Service will be 10 a.m. today at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Shawnee with the Rev. Lewis Walters officiating. Burial will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park under the direction of Resthaven Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to Redeemer Lutheran Church.

Billy Gene Yousey
Choctaw resident Billy Gene Yousey, 68, died Saturday, Feb. 5, in Midwest City.

Graveside service will be 2 p.m. today at Dale Cemetery.

Smith-Parks Funeral Service of Harrah is directing arrangements.

Irma Lucille Turner
Former Seminole resident Irma Lucille Turner, 97, died Wednesday, Feb. 2, at her home in Cushing.

Graveside service will be 10:30 a.m. today at Maple Grove Cemetery with the Rev. Carl Whitfield officiating.

Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole is directing arrangements

Joyce Kenneth Landrum
Former Paden resident Joyce Kenneth Landrum, 75, died Saturday, Feb. 5, in Lexington.

Graveside service will be 2 p.m. today at Oakdale Cemetery in Paden with the Rev. Paul Heard officiating.

Parks Brothers Funeral Service of Prague is directing arrangements.

Iona Gertrude Andes
Shawnee resident Iona Gertrude Andes, 98, died Sunday, Feb. 6, in Shawnee.

She was born Sept. 10, 1906, in Apache, Indian Territory, toJasper Newton Cox and Mary Elizabeth Ledbetter-Cox.

She married Earl R. Andes Feb. 19, 1925. They lived in Asher and Anadarko before moving to Shawnee in 1977.

She was a homemaker and a longtime member of the Central Church of Christ.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, brothers and sisters.

Survivors include one brother, Jasper Cox of Frisco, Texas; numerous nieces, nephews and friends, including her special friend, Mrs. Ann Cullen of Shawnee.

Service was Wednesday at Central Church of Christ with Dwyane Dennis officiating. Burial followed at Wanette Cemetery.

Gaskill Funeral Home directed arrangements.

James Edward Hudson

Lifelong Maud resident James Edward Hudson, 78, died Saturday, Feb. 5, in Seminole.

He was born March 7, 1926, in Clarksville, Ark., to James Harvey "Jim" Hudson and Mary Murror (Estep) Hudson.

He attended Maud school and graduated from Modesto, Calif.

As a young man he worked for Ralph Jones Grocery, then Fred Adwan's Grocery and Dry Goods in Maud. He also worked for Warren Petroleum, and Bodkin Furniture store. He retired from Tinker Air Force Base in 1990 after 30 years of service.

He served in the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1946 aboard the ship ARL 28 Typhoon in World War II.

He married Deloris Lueree (Lucy) Hudson May 9, 1947, in Sherman, Texas. She preceded him in death Feb. 23, 1990.

He was a longtime charter member and deacon of Trinity Baptist Church of Maud. Served as music director, Sunday school supervisor and bus driver. Member of American Legion and Roundup Club.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Faye Hudson, and Jackie Hudson; three sisters, Elva Hart, Daisy Ryan, and Ann Renfro.

Survivors include his son, Jim Hudson of Maud; daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Gary Adams of Seminole; mother-in-law, Ruth Lucy of Tecumseh; brothers-in-law, Leroy Lucy of Edmond, Paul Lucy of Maud, and Jack Lucy of Tecumseh; grandchildren, Michelle Scott of Choctaw, Lori and Shawn Snyder of Seminole, Mark Adams of Seminole, Jillian and Josh Hatley of Tecumseh, Jaclyn Hudson of Tecumseh, and Janesa Hudson of Tecumseh; and one great-grandchild.

Service will be 2 p.m. today at Trinity Baptist Church with the Rev. Wayne Taylor officiating. Burial will be at Cummings Cemetery in Maud.

Knight-Swearingen Funeral Home is directing arrangements.

Clinton Stacy
Shawnee resident Clinton "Keith" Stacy, 42, died Wednesday, Feb. 2, at his home.

He was born June 27, 1962, in Muskogee to Leon Stacy and Glenda Kaye Johnson.

He attended Moore High School.

He worked for many years as a mover and packer for Ace Transfer and Storage in Oklahoma City.

Survivors include his parents, Kaye and William Dunlap of Shawnee; two brothers, Kevin Dunlap of Yukon, and Jason Murray of Shawnee; one sister, Glenda Lamb of Portales, N.M.; plus numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Graveside service will be 10 a.m. today at Fairview Cemetery Pavilion.

Gaskill Funeral Home is directing arrangements.

Alberta Greenwood
Shawnee resident Alberta "Bert" Greenwood, 83, died Thursday, Feb. 3 in Shawnee.

She was born Feb. 22, 1921, to Willie and Nora (Crawford) Gilmore.

She lived in Wichita, Kan., for ten years and had lived in Shawnee for the past 30 years.

She was a housekeeper.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Willie Gilmore and Gerlean Hill; four brothers, Jack, Fred, Akers and Louis Gilmore.

Survivors include numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

Graveside service will be 11 a.m. today at Earlsboro Cemetery.

Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh is directing arrangements.

published Feb. 10, 2005

Leah Estelle Bird

McLoud resident Leah Estelle (Horton) Bird, 79, died Tuesday, Feb. 8, in McLoud.

She was born Jan. 16, 1926, in Pauls Valley to Henry and Marie (Bonnett) Horton.

She graduated from Pauls Valley High School in the early 1940s. She attended Oklahoma Baptist University where she received her bachelor's degree. While teaching at McLoud and Shawnee schools, she obtained her master's degree from the University of Oklahoma.

She worked at Tinker Air Force Base as a keypunch operator. She also worked in Bird's Department Store in McLoud, and then went into freelance writing. She wrote a weekly article for the McLoud News and The Shawnee News-Star for many years.

She married George Bird in 1946 in McLoud.

She was a member of the Eastern Star Chapter No. 193, Retired Teachers Association and the First Baptist Church of McLoud where she played the organ for many years. She also was an officer of the local AARP Chapter.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Howard and Lawrence Horton; and a sister, Kay Ogan.

Survivors include her husband, George Bird, of McLoud; one sister, Bernadine Strong of Denton, Texas; many other relatives and friends.

Service will be 10 a.m. Friday at the First Baptist Church of McLoud with the Rev. Ernest Graham, the Rev. Brad Wood and the Rev. Bill Derrick officiating. Burial will follow at Dale Cemetery.

Smith-Parks Funeral Service in Harrah is directing arrangements.

Larry Dwight Clark
Shawnee resident Larry Dwight Clark, 57, died Saturday, Feb. 5, in Shawnee.

He was born Feb. 12, 1947, in Purcell to Bud Edward and Ozell (Linn) Clark.

He grew up in Noble where he attended school. He also had lived in Maryland for more than 20 years.

He served with the U.S. Marines during Vietnam.

Clark was a self-employed electrician.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Bud Eugene Clark.

Survivors include two sons, Chad Clark of Shawnee and Lee Clark of Maryland; daughter, Ricci Clark of Maryland; brothers, Charles, Virgil, S.L., Billy Ray and Carl Clark; sisters, Lagretta Maxwell, Priscilla Jennings, Judy Fox and Anita Tucker and five grandchildren.

Graveside service will be 1 p.m. today at Byars Cemetery under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home.

Joseph W. Rice
Meeker resident Joseph W. "Jo-Jo" Rice, 70, died Tuesday, Feb. 8, in Shawnee.

He was born April 22, 1934, in Cushing to Lucien Rice and Louise (Shunatona) Rice.

He attended Centerview School in Prague.

He was married to Eloise Bushyhead for 37 years.

Rice was an Ocularist, artist-in-residence with the Oklahoma Arts Council (Indian cultural lecturer and traditional artist) and master craftsman.

He served in the U.S. Air Force and was a member of the Native American Church of Cheyenne Chapter 1 and the Oklahoma Seniors Indian Golf Association. He also was chosen as master of ceremonies for dances and major pow-wows as well as a participant for the Smithsonian Folklife Festival and the State of Oklahoma Representative for State Arts Council as a traditional artist to go to Taiwan.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Loy K. Panzer.

Survivors include his wife, Eloise Rice of the home; godson, Henry Foye; five sisters and two brothers-in-law, Shalah Rowlen and Carl, Jessie Tofpi, Edith Harjo, Delores Kahrahrah, Rosita (Pawnee) Duncan and Charles; three brothers, Lucien Rice II, Archie Rice and Bill Rice; numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren, adopted nieces and nephews and other relatives.

Service will be 10 a.m. Friday at the Rice Family home place with burial at the Rice Family Cemetery under the direction of Walker Funeral Service.

Memorials may be made to kidney donations and research.

Irene Lucille Burrus
Harrah resident Irene Lucille Burrus, 82, died Tuesday, Feb. 8.
Service will be 11 a.m. Friday at Harrah First Baptist Church with Dr. Dan Campbell and Tony Sears officiating. Burial will follow at Memory Lane Cemetery in Harrah.

Smith-Parks Funeral Service is directing arrangements.

published Feb. 11, 2005

Ruth Pratt

Shawnee resident Ruth Pratt, 96, died Wednesday, Feb. 9, at a local hospital.
She was born March 1, 1908, in Johnsonville to Jim and Lillie Mae (Runyan) Crouch.

She attended Byars Public Schools. She graduated in 1926. Pratt obtained a degree from East Central University in Ada. She taught in public schools in elementary and secondary education (English) for 41 years, 22 of which were in Shawnee.

On June 3, 1937, she married Chess Pratt in Ada. He preceded her in death in 1993 after 56 years of marriage.

She was a member of the Church of Christ since age 13 and taught Bible class for many years.

She moved to Byars at the age of 4 to live with her mother's sister, Naomi Runyan, who reared her and her sister, Gladys, when their mother died in 1914. She moved from Wanette to Shawnee in 1951.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister, aunt and an infant son.

Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Phil and Odra Pratt of Norman and Stan and Betty Pratt of Shawnee; grandchildren, Tamara and David Prater of Edmond, Kendra and Don Martin of Edmond; Michael and Kim Pratt of Tecumseh and David Pratt of Elgin; step-grandchildren, Barbie Reed of Chelsea and Mary and Tyre Love of Shawnee; eight great-grandchildren; one great-great granddaughter; and many friends.

Aaron Earl Hansen
Stroud resident Aaron Earl Hansen, 94, died Thursday, Feb. 10.

Service will be 2 p.m. Monday at Parks Brothers Funeral Chapel of Stroud. Burial will be at Stroud Cemetery under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Chapel

Clarence C. Pickens
McLoud resident Clarence C. Pickens, 64, died Wednesday, Feb. 9.

Graveside service will be 2 p.m. today at Green Hill Cemetery of Davis under the direction of Krien Funeral Home of Davis.

William Eugene Newnam

William Eugene Newnam
Davenport resident William "Bill" Eugene Newnam, 73, died Thursday, Feb. 10.

Service will be 10 a.m. Monday at First Baptist Church of Stroud. Burial will be at Davenport Cemetery under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Service of Stroud.

Richard L. Gray
Longtime Chandler resident Richard L. Gray, 100, died Wednesday, Feb. 9, in Stroud.

Service will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Parks Brothers Funeral Chapel with Don Sides officiating. Burial will follow at Resthaven Memorial Cemetery, Shawnee.

Parks Brothers Funeral Service in Chandler is directing arrangements