Pushmataha County, OK - Clayton Today Obituaries - 1996 ------------------------------------------------------------- Contributed by Okbits Compiled by Diane Green - 1996 ----------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. 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You must continue to click on FIND NEXT till you reach the end of the report to see all of the locations of the item indicated. ----------------------------------------------------------------- ARMSTRONG - Thursday, January 11, 1996 Georgia Ann ARMSTRONG, 60 of Talihina, died January 2, 1996. She was born March 7, 1935 at Idabel to Claude and Mary TRAMELL HARTZO. She married Larry Joe ARMSTRONG January 3, 1967 at Poteau. She was of the Protestant faith. She is survived by her husband, Larry, of the home; two sons,a daughter, four grandchildren, her mother and two sisters, Services were held January 4 at the Assembly of God Church in Talihina with Rev. Jerry GRAMMER officiating . Burial was at Springhill Cemetery in Monroe under the direction of Drake-Jones Funeral Home. DAVIS - Thursday, January 11, 1996 Dewey Lee DAVIS, 75 of Whitesboro, died December 30, 1995 at the Oklahoma Veterans Center, Talihina. He was born October 1, 1920 at Lennox, to Lincoln and Nellie Lee MORGAN DAVIS . He had been a resident of Whitesboro for over 20 years before moving to the Veterans Center in 1990. He was a WWWII Army veteran. He had worked for 22 years as a truck driver, and was of the Protestant faith. He is preceded in death by a sister, Juanita DAVIS. He is survived by two daughters, three brothers, an uncle, and an aunt. Graveside services were held January 3 at Muse Cemetery with Rev. Billy MOORE officiating. Drake-Jones Funeral Home handled the arrangements. WOOLDRIDGE - Thursday January 4, 1996 Imogene WOOLDRIDGE, 80 of Wilburton, passed away Friday, December 29. She was born May 12, 1915, in Oxnard, Alabama. Mrs. WOOLDRIDGE was a member of Calvary Baptist Church where services were held December 31, 1995 with Rev. Willard FRANCIS officiating. Interment was in Memorial Gardens Cemetery under the direction of Jones Funeral Home. She is survived by a daughter, 2 sons, seven grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. She is also survived by 3 sisters, and one brother. She was preceded in death by her husband Clyde on February 2, 1991, her mother and father, grand daughter Tracy WOOLDRIDGE and great grandson, Jack HINDS . BELL - Thursday January 4, 1996 Forrest Estel BELL,of Red Oak, Oklahoma, passed away December 26, 1995, at his home north of Red Oak. Services were held December 28 at the Park Road Church of Christ in Wilburton, with Haskell ENGLAND and Bill BANKS officiating. Interment was at the North Rock Creek Cemetery in Red Oak. Honorary pallbearers were Dresser Rand Employees,a U.S. Navy Representative and a U.S. Marine. An Indian Honor Guard posted the colors. Services were conducted by Jones Funeral Home. Forrest was born September 11,1927, in Wewoka to F.E. and Medreath BELL . He was a retired oil field worker and WWII Navy veteran. He was a faithful member of the Red Oak Church of Christ. He was survived by his wife Loyce of the home; six daughters, two foster children, his mother, Medreath BELL, three brothers, three sisters and eleven grand-children. He was preceded in death by his father, one daughter and one grandson. CARTER - Thursday January 4, 1996 Calvin CARTER,70 of Wilburton, passed away December 24, 1995. Mrs. CARTER was born on December 21,1925,in Mannsville, Arkansas and was married to WileneMANLEY in Ft. Smith, Arkansas, on July 29,1946. Services were held December 28 at Jones Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Willard FRANCIS officiating. Committal services ere held at the Holdenville City Cemetery. He is survived by three daughters two brothers, four sisters, six grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Wilene on December 21, 1974, and a son, James Calvin CARTER in 1974. CHURCH - Thursday January 4, 1996 Dr. Lloyd CHURCH, 99 of Wilburton, passed away on December 27. Born on August 28, 1896, in Carmen, Cherokee Strip, Oklahoma Territory, he was married to Christine BUSH on December 26,1920 in Seiling, Oklahoma. He was a well-known local businessman and conservationist. Services were conducted by Jones Funeral Home on December 29 at the Chapel. Interment was in Wilburton City Cemetery. Rev. Ray TALBOTT officiated at the services. He was survived by two sisters. Memorials may be sent to the Lloyd D. Church Foundation at Eastern Oklahoma State College. PEARCE - Thursday January 4, 1996 Cecil PEARCE, 78 of Gatesville, Texas, died December 27, 1995 at Temple,Texas. He was born on July 17.1917 at Talihina, where he attended school. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII. He married Lola Mae TENNISON. He owned and operated Pearce's Humble and Pearce's Mobil for many years in Gatesville. He was of the Baptist faith. He is preceded in death by a daughter, Sandra MOORE, in 1980. Survivors include a daughter, two sons, two sisters, six grandchildren and four great- grandchildren. Graveside services, with military honors, were held December 29 at the Restland Cemetery in Gatesville with Rev. Rex TILLY and Rev. Brian DUNKS officiating. Scott's Funeral Home of Gatesville handled the arrangements. RITTER - Thursday January 4, 1996 Clinte Dean RITTER,59 of Talihina, died December 31,1995 at Sparks Regional Medical Center in Ft. Smith. She was born April 4,1936 at Albion. She had lived in the Albion/Talihina area all her life. She married A.C. RITTER July 7,1979 at Hodgen. She was a member of the Church of Christ in Talihina. She is preceded in death by a brother, Tommy Hugh MOORE, in 1987. Survivors include her husband, S.C., of Talihina; a daughter,a brother, three sisters,and two granddaughters. Services were held January 2 at the Church of Christ in Talihina with Tommy D. HEMPHILL officiating. Burial was at the New Talihina City Cemetery under the direction of Drake- Jones Funeral Home. HALDERMAN - Thursday, February 22, 1996 Robert Lee HALDERMAN Sr. age 57 of Talihina, Oklahoma, was born January 28,1939, at Webb City, Missouri. He passed away February 17,1996, at the Choctaw Nation Indian Hospital at Talihina, Oklahoma. He was a member of the Greenhill Baptist Church of Talihina, Oklahoma, and had lived in the Talihina area for the past ten years. He was married to DonnaRANDALL at Joplin Missouri, Aug. 8,1960. He was a member of Foundry Union in Joplin for a number of years and had been a foundry superintendent at Muskogee, Oklahoma, until his retirement in 1982. Services were conducted by Drake- Jones Funeral Home at Talihina. The Revs. Welcome T. NIX and Carroll FITZGERALD officiated. Interment was in McGee Cemetery in Buffalo Valley, Oklahoma. He is survived by his wife, five sons, one daughter, two sisters and ten grandchildren. JOHNSON - Thursday, February 22, 1996 Sidney Jack JOHNSON,81 of Clayton, died February 14,1996 at Muskogee. He was born December 2,1914 in Quinton. He married Frances JOHNSON in 1960 at Dallas, Texas. He was retired from the U.S. Air Force, and was of the Baptist faith. He was a WWII veteran. Graveside services were held February 16 at Stanley Cemetery with Rev. Larry WOMACK officiating. Clayton Funeral Home handled the arrangements. WILSON - Thursday, February 22, 1996 J.C.WILSON, 68 of Wilburton, died February 14,1996 at Drum ,Okla. to Charlie and Jewel Pace WILSON. He was a retired truck driver. He is preceded in death by a son Ricky WILSON and four brothers, Frank, Jimmy, Isaac and Billy WILSON. He is survived by seven children, three brothers, a sister and several grandchildren. Graveside services were held at Adamson Cemetery with Willard FRANCIS officiating. Clayton Funeral Home handled the arrangements. THOMPSON - Thursday, February 22, 1996 Maudie THOMPSON,81 of Talihina, died February 12,1996. She was born Oct. 8,1914 at Hanna, Okla. to William A. and Mary Ellen COOLEY SANDLIN. She was a lifetime resident of the Talihina area. She had been a member of the First United Methodist Church since 1942. She married Harlan THOMPSON in 1943. She had worked as a nurse. She is preceded in death by her parents and three brothers. Survivors include her husband,a son, a daughter, two brothers, three sisters and five grandchildren. Services were held February 14 at the First United Methodist Church in Talihina with Rev. Jack CURTIS officiating. Burial was at the Old Talihina City Cemetery under the direction of Drake-Jones Funeral Home. GLENN - Thursday, February 22, 1996 Clarence (Bud)GLENN died January 31, 1996 in a Tyler, Texas hospital. He was born July 29,1918 in Breckenridge,Texas. He was a retired security guard for Indian Harbors in Granbury. He and his wife recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Dec. 7,1995. Preceding him in death were his parents, ten siblings, and an infant daughter. Survivors include his wife, Lois ANDERSON GLENN,four sons,a sister, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Graveside services were conducted February 2 at Oakland Cemetery in Weatherford, Texas. MILLS - Thursday, February 22, 1996 Patsy MILLS, 53 of Wilburton, died February 16, 1996. She was born February 26,1942 at Visalia, California. She was a member of High Bridge Baptist Church. She is survived by four sons, a daughter, nine grand-children, and one great grandchild; three sisters and four brothers. Services were held February 21 at High Bridge Baptist Church with Rev. David WARD officiating. Burial was at Adamson Cemetery. FITE - Thursday, February 22, 1996 Josephine FITE, 51 of Wilburton, died February 16, 1996. She was born September 22,1944 at Wilburton. She is survived by two brothers and three sisters. Graveside services were held February 20 at Minor Cemetery in McCurtain with Rev. Willard FRANCIS officiating. Jones Funeral Home handled the arrangements. BRINKLEY - Thursday, February 22, 1996 Lloyd BRINKLEY, 72 of Wilburton died February 16, 1996. He was born July 19,1923 at Wilburton. He married Senia SAM November 23,1944 at Wilburton. He is preceded in death by his parents, a son Ronnie BRINKLEY, a grandson Bryan BRINKLEY and a brother,Raymond BRINKLEY. He is survived by his wife, Senia,; a son and daughter-in-law, three sisters, a brother, two grandsons, two great granddaughters and a great grandson. Graveside services were held February 19 at Wilburton Memorial Gardens under the direction of Jones Funeral Home. LEMMONS - Thursday, February 22, 1996 Lela L. LEMMONS , 88 of Red Oak, died February 14, 1996. She was born June 12,1907 at Magazine, Arkansas. She married Alton LEMMONS December 28,1930 at Barber, Arkansas.She was a member of Red Oak Methodist Church. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband,and a grandson, Joseph LEMMONS. She is survived by two daughters, four grandchildren,three great-granddaughters and one great-great-granddaughter. Services were held February 16 at Red Oak Methodist Church with Rev. Paul WILSON officiating. Burial was at Red Oak Cemetery under the direction of Jones Funeral Home. KELSEY - Thursday, February 29, 1996 Ola Anna KELSEY, 83 of North Little Rock, Arkansas, formerly of Big Cedar, died February 19, 1996. She was born January 16, 1913 in Big Cedar to the late Peter J. ROBERTS and Elizabeth FIELDS ROBERTS. She was a member of the Big Cedar Missionary Baptist Church. Funeral services were held February 21 at the Geyer-Quillin Funeral Home Chapel in Mena. Interment was at the New Home Cemetery. DENTON - Thursday, February 29, 1996 Muriel Lee DENTON, 70 of Wilburton, died February 21, 1996. She was born December 29, 1925 at Talihina. Graveside services were held February 24 at Degnan Cemetery. Jones Funeral Home handled the arrangements. MONROE - Thursday, February 29, 1996 Homer Lee MONROE, 86 of Wilburton, died February 23, 1996. He was born April 8, 1909 at Hartshorne. He married December 17, 1960 at Gowen. He was a member of Lutie Baptist Church. Services were held February 26 at Jones Funeral Home Chapel. Burial was at Elmwood Cemetery at Hartshorne under the direction of Jones Funeral Home. LOWTHERS - Thursday, March 7, 1996 Lena LOWTHERS passed away in Klamath Falls, Oregon on February 28. She was born in 1903 in Arkansas. She had lived many years in the Pine Valley/Muse area. She was buried in Visalia, California. VAUGHT - Thursday, March 7, 1996 Minnie Odessa VAUGHT of Oakley, California passed away on February 24, 1996 at the age of 81. She was born in Talihina on January 19, 1915. She grew up in the Buffalo Valley community and moved to Oakley in 1946. She was the wife of the late Edgar T. VAUGHT for 54 years. She is preceded in death by her parents, Alonzo and Iva COOLEY, a sister, Pernie ANDREWS, a brother, Carol COOLEY, all of Buffalo Valley, and a brother Alec STOWE of Corpus Christi, Texas. Burial was in Memory Gardens Memorial Park in Concord, Calif. On February 29. DOSHIER - Thursday, March 7, 1996 Ernest DOSHIER, 71 of Wilburton, died February 26, 1996. He was born July 10, 1924 at Cleveland, Olka. He married August 3, 1943 at Bakersfield, Calif. He was a member of High Bridge Church. He is preceded in death by his parents, a brother, a sister, and a granddaughter. Services were held February 29 at High Bridge Baptist Church. Burial was at High Bridge Cemetery under the direction of Jones Funeral Home. SMITH - Thursday, March 21, 1997 Ether B. SMITH, 87 of Wilburton, died March 12, 1996. She married S.L. SMITH in Durant. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Wilburton. Services were held March 14 at the United Methodist Church in Wilburton. Burial was at Wilburton City Cemetery under the direction of Jones Funeral Home. WELCH - Thursday, March 28, 1996 Nina Rosetta WELCH passed away March 25, 1996 at Antlers Nursing Home. She was born April 13, 1903 at Mt. Ayr, Iowa. She married Dee WELCH July 12, 1922. He preceded her in death in 1967. She is also preceded in death by a son, Joe WELCH, on September 28, 1993. She was a member of the Methodist Church in Tuskahoma. She belonged to the ladies Auxiliary Post 68 of Clayton for over 20 years. Services will be held Thursday, March 28, at 2 p.m. at Tuskahoma Methodist Church. Burial will be at Old Town Cemetery under the direction of Clayton Funeral Home. PHELPS Thursday, March 28, 1996 Myrle E. PHELPS, 86 of Wilburton, died March 23, 1996. She was born February 2, 1910 in Ashland, Okla. She married David Alex PHELPS June 30, 1933 at Lawton. She was a member of Adamson Baptist Church. Services were held March 26 at Jones Funeral Home Chapel. Burial was at Mt. Station Cemetery under the direction of Jones Funeral Home. DEAN - Thursday, April 11, 1996 William Henry "Buddy" DEAN, 66 of Albion, died April 7, 1996 at his home. He was born May 10, 1929 at Talihina to Alvie A. And Mahalie McBRIDE DEAN. He was a lifelong resident of LeFlore and Pushmataha counties. He worked as a woodcutter for many years. He is preceded in death by his parents, two daughters, Kathy DEAN and Elsie FLOOD, a son, Charlie DEAN, and a son-in-law, Billy Dale MARTIN. Graveside services were held April 9 at Whitesboro Cemetery. Clayton Funderal Home handled the arrangements. MARTINDALE - Thursday, April 11, 1996 Leonard R. MARTINDALE, 78 of Albion, died April 2, 1996 at his home. He was born January 30, 1918 at Glendale, Okla. To Walter and Lilly Mae (CAUDELL) MARTINDALE. He was retired from OG&E as a control operator. He had worked with company for over 30 years. He married his wife in 1974. He was of the Protestant faith. Services were held April 5 at Drake-Jones Chapel. Burial was at Albion Cemetery under the direction of Drake-Jones Funeral Home. BEVINS - Thursday, April 11, 1996 Effie Elizabeth BEVINS, 75 of Moyers, died April 7, 1996. She was born June 5, 1920 at Big Sandy, West Virginia to Jefferson and Betty HILL FULLER. She came to the Moyers community in September 1992. She was of the Baptist faith. Services will be held April 13 at Roger W. Davis Funeral Home in West Portsmouth, Ohio. MILLER - Thursday, April 11, 1996 Colonel William Alexander MILLER, 79 of Yanush, died April 5, 1996 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Paris, Texas. He was born August 27, 1916 at China, Texas to Joseph A. And Mary K. (BAER) MILLER. He was of the Methodist faith. An honorably discharged 28 year veteran, he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, and served in the U.S. Air Force during Korean War and the Viet Nam era. During his military career he was awarded the following medals and decorations: EAME Service Ribbons, Distinguished Flying Cross, Distinguished Service Cross, Northern France - Air Combat; Rome-Arno, Rhineland; North Apeans Po Valley; Air Offensive - Europe; South France - Good Conduct; Distinguished Unit Badge; Korean NATO Medal; Korean Service Medal; and Command Pilot Wings. He had been a resident of the Sardis/Yanush area since 1978. His interest in livestock led him to become a member of the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association, the American Quarter Horse Association and the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Racing Association. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge in Clayton. He is preceded in death by his wife, Theresa Alice MILLER on December 7, 1985. Services were held April 9 at Cupco Freewill Baptist Church. Burial was at Old Town Cemetery in Tuskahoma under the direction of Drake-Jones Funeral Home. JAMES - Thursday, April 11, 1996 Farris De Grace JAMES, 79 of Whiteboro, died April 6, 1996 at the Pushmataha County Hospital in Antlers. She was born December 2, 1916 at Whitesboro, and lived in the Whitesboro area all of her life. She was a member of the Goodsprings United Methodist Church at Lennox. She is preceded in death by her husband Wallace WHITE, a son Robert JAMES, and a daughter, Marie JAMES. Services were held April 10 at Goodsprings United Methodist Church. Burial was at Goodsprings Cemetery under the direction of Drake-Jones Funeral Home. BACON - Thursday, April 11, 1996 Anna Grace ABERNATHY BACON, 89 of Talihina, died April 7, 1996 at the Eastern Oklahoma Medical Center in Poteau. She was born October 15, 1906 to Bartley COLEMAN and Alice Virginia (LINGO) ABERNATHY at Plato, Missouri. She married Richard WALKER BACON in 1929. He preceded her in death in 1954. She is also preceded in death by her parents, 14 brothers and sister, and three sons, Gene AUGUSTUS, Richard MAX, and John DREXAL (Jack) BACON. Mrs. BACON was honored during the 1986 Talihina Centennial Celebration as a valuable citizen of the community. She had been a very active member of the First Baptist Church of Talihina for many years. She was also active in the Women's Missionary Union, and was a Past Worthy Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star of Talihina. Services were held April 10 at the First Baptist Church in Talihina. Burial was at the Old Talihina City Cemetery under the direction of Drake- Jones Funeral Home. ORMS - Thursday, August 22, 1996 Eunice Ester ORMS, 77 of Talihina, died August 16, 1996 at St. Edward Mercy Medical Center in Ft. Smith. She was born November 21, 1918 at Heavener to Warren W. And Ester D. (PLUMMER) HOLLAND. She had lived in the Talihina area for the past three years. She was of the Baptist faith. She is preceded in death by her husband, Carl ORMS, in 1992, and three brothers Paul HOLLAND, Farrell HOLLAND, and Larry HOLLAND. Graveside services were held August 20 at the New Talihina Cemetery. Drake- Jones Funeral Home handled the arrangements. McGUIRE - Thursday, August 22, 1996- Sye Loyce McGUIRE, 88 of Clayton, died August 12, 1996 at Okla. City. He was born October 4, 1907 in Clayton to Willie James and Emma Kathern TATE McGUIRE. He married. He married Pearl WINTON in 1945. There were no children born to this union, but they were instrumental in raising several nieces and nephews. He was a retire farmer/rancher, a member of Tuskahoma Baptist Church and American Lodge of Tuskahoma #68. He was in the Army from 1942 until 1945, serving in Alaska, Germany, and France. Services were held August 15 at Clayton First Baptist Church. Burial was at A.L. Stephens Cemetery under the direction of Clayton Funeral Home. ALLEN - Thursday, August 22, 1996 Robbie ALLEN, 81 of Wilburton, passed away August 18, 1996 at McAlester Regional Hospital. Funeral services were held August 22 at Centerpoint Baptist Church. Burial was at Centerpoint Cemetery. Born May 16, 1915 in Wilburton, Robbie was the daughter of Joe Henry and Nona SCOTT. She was an active member of Centerpoint Baptist Church and thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the gospel trio "The Scotts" and the Senior Citizens' singing group. She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Floyd Eugene ALLEN. MINGS - Thursday, August 29, 1996 Elzie Barney MINGS, 86 of Muse, died August 21, 1996 at Poteau. He was born June 22, 1910 at Leflore to James and Ida JAMES MINGS. He was of the Church of Christ faith and was a member of Talihina Masonic Lodge. He is preceded in death by a daughter, Tony Gene BROOKS. Graveside servides were held August 23 at Muse Cemetery. Clayton Funeral Home handled the arrangements. MANKIN - Thursday, September 5, 1996 Ruby Lea MANKIN, 84 of Wilburton, died August 27, 1996. She was born May 4, 1912 at Center, Okla. to R.A. and Odie CRUSON. She married Robert MANKIN August 30, 1931 at Clayton. He preceded her in death June 10, 1963. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Wilburton. She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister Ruth, and two brothers Edmond and Earl. Services were held August 29 at Jones Funeral Home Chapel. Burial was at Lutie Cemetery under the direction of Jones Funeral Home. TYLER - Thursday, September 5, 1996 Mary Velna TYLER, 89 of Clayton, died August 24, 1996 at Antlers. She was born January 2, 1907 at Magazine, Ark. to Charles and Nellie HARDIN DEMPSEY. She married January 30, 1931 at Booneville, Ark. She was of the Christian faith. Services were held August 28 at Stanley Christ Church. Burial was at Stanley Cemetery under the direction of Clayton Funeral Home. McCOY - Thursday, September 5, 1996 Margaret Mary McCOY, 89 of McAlester, died August 29, 1996. She was born October 25, 1906 at Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin to George and Marion GRIFFITH MARSHALL. Private family services were held under the direction of Clayton Funeral Home.