Miscellaneous Stephens County, Oklahoma Obituaries

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David Dale Thacker
Lifetime Duncan resident David Dale Thacker, 20, died Tuesday, April 15, 1997, in Duncan Regional Hospital. 
Service will be at 2 p.m. Friday in First Assembly of God Church with the Rev. James Pinckard officiating. Burial will be in Resthaven Memorial Gardens under the direction of Don Grantham Funeral Home. 
Mr. Thacker was born on Aug. 11, 1976, in Duncan to Dale and Debbie (Foster) Thacker. He was a 1995 graduate of Empire High School and was working for Wal-Mart. He was a member of First Assembly of God. 
Survivors include his parents of Duncan; a sister, Dianne M. Thacker of Duncan; maternal grandparents, Joe Foster and Carrie Smith, both of Duncan; paternal grandmother, Juanita Thacker of Duncan; an uncle, Billy Joe Foster of Duncan; and several cousins and other relatives. 
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, the late Thurman Thacker. 
Bearers will be Lyndol Shults, Stephen Grace, Jody Smith, Bill Butler, Roman Petty and Chris Knabe. 

David Lee Ausmus
COMANCHE - Graveside service, under the direction of Morehead-Goetz Funeral Home, for David Lee Ausmus, 54, of Comanche, who passed away Tuesday, April 15, 1997, in Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City, will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in Fairlawn Cemetery. 

Katie Cloesther Yarbrough
MERIDIAN - Katie Cloesther Yarbrough, 92, of Meridian died Wednesday, April 16, 1997, in Meridian Nursing Home. 
Graveside service, under the direction of Don Grantham Funeral Home, will be at 2:30 p.m. Friday in Duncan Cemetery with Elder Gary Hughey officiating. 
Mrs. Yarbrough was born on Jan. 5, 1905, in Comanche, Indian Territory, to Anderson Alexander and Amanda Katherine (Roach) Petty. She married William Fletcher Yarbrough on Oct. 31, 1926, in Walters. A longtime Duncan resident, she had been employed as a silk finisher for Ed Coombes Dry Cleaners and was a member of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. 
Survivors include two daughters, Betty Lumley of Oklahoma City and Doris A. Rencher of Farmington, Utah; two sisters, Anna Willis of Duncan and Nora Sadler of San Diego, Calif.; 13 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. 
She was preceded in death by a son, William Winston Yarbrough in 1981. 

Calvin Keeling
MARLOW - Service for Calvin Keeling of Marlow, who died Wednesday, April 16, 1997, in VA Hospital in Oklahoma City, is pending with Callaway-Smith-Cobb Funeral Home in Marlow. 

Luther Cleatus Doyle
RUSH SPRINGS - Service for Luther Cleatus Doyle, 90, of Rush Springs, who died Wednesday, April 16, 1997, in Duncan Regional Hospital, is pending with Callaway-Smith-Cobb Funeral Chapel in Rush Springs. 

Harold Raymond Conrad
HEADRICK - Harold Raymond Conrad, 89, passed away Wednesday, April 16, 1997, in Duncan Care Center after a brief illness. 
Service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in Friendship Baptist Church located in the Friendship Community with the Rev. Keith Wiginton and the Rev. Madison Clinton officiating. Burial will follow in Frederick Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Lowell-Tims Funeral Home in Altus. 
Mr. Conrad was born on Oct. 21, 1907, in Frederick to G.W. and Emma (Wolfe) Conrad. He was a lifelong resident of Southwest Oklahoma, having grown up in the Frederick, Tipton and Davidson areas. 
On Jan. 8, 1918, he married Mary Ruth Harwood in Tipton. They moved to the Friendship Community in 1951. He was a retired farmer and rancher and was a member of Friendship Methodist Church. 
Survivors include his children, Don Conrad and his wife, Sue, of Oklahoma City, Troy Conrad and his wife, Ann, of Shreveport, La., Dale Conrad and his wife, Reba, of McKinney, Texas, Mary Beth Culver and her husband, Bill, of Odessa, Texas, and Gayle Anderson and her husband, Dale, of Duncan; 15 grandchildren; and 25 great-grandchildren. 
He was preceded in death by his wife, who died on Jan. 9, 1995; his parents; three brothers; and four sisters. 

Larry LeRoy Mercer
Service for Larry LeRoy Mercer, 48, 618 N. F, who died Thursday, April 17, 1997, in Duncan Regional Hospital, is pending with Don Grantham Funeral Home.

Suzanne Turner Rheome
GRANITE - Suzanne Turner Rheome, 48, of Granite departed this life on Tuesday, April 15, 1997, in Deaconess Hospital in Oklahoma City. 
Service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Glad Tidings Assembly of God Church in Altus. Burial will be in Altus City Cemetery under the direction of Peoples Cooperative Funeral Home in Lone Wolf. 
Mrs. Rheome was born on Nov. 27, 1948, in Altus to Walter and Modean Turner. She was a former Altus resident and had lived in the Granite community for the last nine years. She was employed by Jackson County Memorial Hospital in Altus as a coding supervisor for several years. 
Survivors include her husband, Chuck, of the home; a daughter, Amy Jacobs of Granite; a stepdaughter, Amanda Rheome of Lonoke, Ark.; a son, Mark Jacobs of Stillwater; a stepson, Charles Rheome of Lonoke; her mother of Granite; a sister, Jackye Morris and her husband, Terry, of Duncan; and several nieces and nephews including Jason, Michele and Jessica Morris of Sallisaw, Jimmy Morris of Velma and Jill and Chad Henslee of Duncan. 
She was preceded in death by her father and a brother, Dale Turner. 

Walter Dillard Cathey
LAWTON - Service for former Marlow resident Walter Dillard Cathey, 76, of Lawton, who died Friday, April 11, 1997, in a Lawton hospital, was held Monday at Eighth and Lee Church of Christ in Lawton with burial in Sunset Memorial Gardens under the direction of Becker Funeral Home in Lawton. 

Cecil L. Smith
MIDLAND, Texas - Service for Cecil L. Smith, 50, of Midland, who died Sunday, April 13, 1997, in Ozona, Texas, was to have been at 11 this morning in Ellis Funeral Home Chapel. Graveside service, under the direction of Morehead-Goetz Funeral Home in Comanche, will be at 4 p.m. Thursday in Fairlawn Cemetery with Mike McCord of Ray of Hope Church officiating. Visitation will be from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. 

Viola Etta Bohm
ARDMORE - Viola Etta Bohm, 93, of Ardmore died Saturday, April 12, 1997, in Ardmore Nursing Home. 
Service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Craddock Funeral Home Memorial Chapel in Ardmore with Elder Dennis Kreie officiating. Burial will be in Wilson Creek Cemetery. 
Mrs. Bohm was born on May 23, 1903, in Cloudcroft, N.M., to William and Eliza Marie Anderson Kent. She had lived in Ardmore for 24 years. 
Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Jim and Linda Winchester of Ardmore; a stepson, Glenn Bohm of Dewey, Ariz.; a grandson, Jerry Winchester of Duncan; two granddaughters, Carrie Rhoades of Carrollton, Texas, and Suzanne Ferrell of Plano, Texas; and two great-granddaughters, Leigh Winchester of Duncan and Jill Rhoades of Carrollton. 
She was preceded in death by 12 brothers and sisters. 
Bearers will be Larry Winchester, Jerry Don Winchester, Jerry Lee Winchester, Bentley Ferrell, Mike Winchester and Curtis Winchester. Honorary bearer will be Coleman Rhoades. 

Ida Evelyn Evans
RUSH SPRINGS - Service for Ida Evelyn Evans, 96, of Rush Springs, who died Sunday, April 13, 1997, in Grady Memorial Hospital in Chickasha, will be at 4 p.m. Tuesday in Rush Springs' Southern Baptist Church with burial in Rush Springs Cemetery under the direction of Callaway-Smith-Cobb Funeral Chapel in Rush Springs. 

Julia (Basinger) Rogers
MARLOW - Service for Julia (Basinger) Rogers, 87, of Marlow, who died Saturday, April 12, 1997, in Convalescent Center of Grady County, will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Fifth Street Baptist Church with burial in Marlow Cemetery under the direction of Callaway-Smith-Cobb Funeral Home in Marlow. 

Billy Ray Joe Price
MARLOW - Service for lifelong Marlow resident Billy Ray Joe Price, 68, who died Sunday, April 13, 1997, at home, will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in Duncan's Bethel Assembly of God Church with burial in Marlow Cemetery under the direction of Callaway-Smith-Cobb Funeral Home in Marlow. 

Alma B. Purtell
MARLOW - Service for Alma B. Purtell, 92, of Marlow, who died Sunday, April 13, 1997, in Duncan Regional Hospital, will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in Callaway-Smith-Cobb Funeral Home Chapel in Marlow with burial in Duncan Cemetery. 

Henderson Harris
HOUSTON, Texas - Service for former Duncan resident Henderson Harris, 73, of Houston, who died Friday, April 11, 1997, in a Houston hospital, will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at St. John's Baptist Missionary Church in Houston with burial in Houston. 

Garry Roy Malone
Garry Roy Malone, 57, 1318 N. 19th, died Friday, April 11, 1997, at an Oklahoma City hospital. 
Graveside service will be 2 p.m. Monday at Duncan City Cemetery with Randy Southerland officiating. Burial will be under the direction of Don Grantham Funeral Home. 
Mr. Malone was born Nov. 17, 1939, in Duncan to Roy and Margaret (Hunter) Malone. He was preceded in death by his father and a daughter, Tena Marie Malone. He was a longtime Duncan resident, having worked as a grocery manager of dairy and frozen foods. He was Baptist. He was also a veteran of the Korean War, having served in the U.S. Army. 
Survivors include his mother; two sons, Garrett Hunter Malone of Duncan and Danny Malone of Dallas; and two grandchildren, Lyndsey Marie Hare of Duncan and Kasey Malone of Dallas. 

Floyd C. Gibbs
Floyd C. Gibbs, 74, 1505 Somerset Place, died Thursday, April 10, 1997, at an Oklahoma City hospital. 
Service will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Chisholm Trail Church of Christ with Jon Hosch officiating. Burial will be in Duncan City Cemetery under the direction of Don Grantham Funeral Home. 
Mr. Gibbs was born Jan. 30, 1923, in Wardville to William Dixon and Maggie P. (Hayes) Gibbs. 
Mr. Gibbs was a longtime Duncan resident. He retired from Halliburton Co. after 35 years in the assembly shop. He married Fannie Belle Scruggs on April 12, 1942, in Comanche County. He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Army. He was affiliated with the Chisholm Trail Church of Christ. 
Survivors include his wife of the home; four sons and daughters-in-law, William and Mary Gibbs of Duncan, Carl and Gale Gibbs of Plano, Texas, Roger and Kathy Gibbs of Sulphur, and Victor and Sheila Gibbs of Marlow; two brothers, Thurman Gibbs and Leslie Gibbs, both of Duncan; three sisters, Ola Ludwig of Womelsdorf, Penn.; Belle Brooks of Visalia, Calif.; and Bertice Herring of Stockton, Calif.; numerous nieces and nephews; nine grandchildren, Gay Deane Fritschow, Kasey Dalynn Stone, Carl Lynn Gibbs, Paige Gibbs, Scotty Gibbs, Clinton Gibbs, Tommy Heath, Sherrie Horn and Dallas Gibbs; and 11 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by brother Herman Gibbs, sister Mandy Weathers, and his parents. 
Bearers will be Glen Klein, Bob Gibbs, Phillip Gibbs, James Gibbs, Richard Scruggs and Jessie Scruggs. 

Kathryn Myers DeWitt
AUSTIN, Texas - Kathryn Myers DeWitt, the daughter of a former Lawton sheriff, George E. Myers and Mrs. Genetta Myers, died April 11, 1997, in Austin. 
She was preceded in death three years ago by her husband, retired Lt. Col. Paul Arlington DeWitt, and sisters Pug Jumper, Ethel Early and Kitty Myers. She was born on Aug. 23, 1923, in Lawton and lived in many cities in the United States and Europe with Paul while he was stationed in the Army. Kay was a gracious, outspoken and special person, and will be remembered fondly by all who knew her. 
Survivors include her daughter, Tami Carson and husband Jim of Austin; grandchildren Alison and Paul Carson of Austin; and sisters Wete Wilkinson and husband Joel, and Minnie Buckholts, all of Duncan. Graveside service will be 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 15, 1997, at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery with the Rev. Jim Thompson officiating. Visitation will be 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 15, at Sunset Funeral Home. 

Lucenda Harris
Lucenda Harris, 90, 319 Mulberry, died Thursday, April 10, 1997, in a Duncan hospital. 
Service will be 11 a.m. Monday at the Antioch Baptist Church with the Rev. Ronald Boyd officiating. Burial will be in Henderson-Harris Cemetery under the direction of Carter-Smart Funeral Home. 
She was born Feb. 14, 1907, in Magnolia, Ark., to Joe and Savannah (Cummins) Wyrick. She was a past member of the Eastern Star. She was a member of the Antioch Baptist Church. She was a resident of Duncan since 1951. She married Cleophus Harris in 1951 at Wichita Falls. He preceded her in death in February 1977. 
Survivors include brother Essie Wyrick of Magnolia, Ark., and sister Alice Griffin of Duncan. 
Honorary bearers are the members of the Antioch and Bethany Baptist churches. 

Merle Doty
Merle Doty, 76, Shawnee, died Saturday, April 12, 1997, in a Shawnee hospital. 
Service will be 3 p.m. Monday at the Carter-Smart Chapel with the Rev. Phil Wahl officiating. Burial will be in Fairlawn Cemetery. 
She was born May 12, 1920, to William Eugene and Lela (Stovall) Snyder of Walters. She lived in Duncan from 1954 until 1991, when she moved to Shawnee. She married E.F. "Gene" Doty on March 20, 1938, in Tishomingo. He preceded her in death on Feb. 1, 1991. 
Survivors include sons Richard Doty of Duncan and Bob Doty of Davis; daughter Mary Spears of Shawnee; sister Willadean White of Healdton; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. 
Bearers will be grandsons and grandsons-in-law. 

Earny Lavada Billingsley
NORMAN - Earny Lavada Billingsley, 71, of Norman died Tuesday, April 8, 1997, in Norman. 
A private graveside service will be held at Owens Prairie Community Cemetery in Stephens County at a later date. Havenbrook Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. 
Mrs. Billingsley was born on Oct. 16, 1925, in Seymour, Texas, to Patton and Magnolia Cook Keck. She graduated from Bray High School. In 1964, she married William S. Billingsley in Oklahoma City. Two years later she moved to Norman. She enjoyed gardening and the outdoors. 
Survivors include a son, Dempsey B. Scott and his wife, Bette, of Norman; a sister, Delta Billingsley of Marlow; a sister-in-law, Lillian Stone of Moore; a brother, Marvin Keck of Doyle; and four grandchildren, Traci Scott, Savannah Scott, Marta Thomason and Melanie Brittman. 
She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Roy Keck, Vic Keck and Scott Keck. 

Betty Jo Smith
NASHVILLE, Ark. - Betty Jo Smith, 71, of Nashville passed away Monday, April 7, 1997, in Dallas. 
Service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Center Point Church of Christ with Elvis Lee officiating. Interment will follow in Center Point Cemetery under the direction of Nashville Funeral Home. 
The family will receive friends at Mrs. Smith's home in Nashville after the service until 2 p.m. 
Mrs. Smith was born on Aug. 7, 1925, in Center Point, Ark., to Bunk and May O. Tinsley Reese. She was a devoted wife and mother. She was a homemaker and Christian. 
Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, George and Kay Hurley of Garland, Texas; a stepdaughter, Bonnie Roesink of Craig, Colo.; a grandson, Stephen Hurley of Garland; and a host of other family members and friends. 
She was preceded in death by her husbands, Joe K. Arnold and Carl H. Smith.

John B. Lowry
John B. Lowry, 83, 1115 W. Spruce, died Saturday, Dec. 20, 1997, in his home. 
Service will be at 1:30 this afternoon in Don Grantham Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Tracy L. Wilson officiating. Burial will be in Duncan Cemetery. 
Mr. Lowry was born July 11, 1914, in Stephens County, the son of B.H. and Lucy Ellen (Denning) Lowry. 
He was employed with Halliburton Services for 47 years, retiring in 1980. He also played on the Halliburton Cementers Baseball Club. 
On July 3, 1980, he married Joyce A. Graham in Chickasha. 
He was a member of First Christian Church and Elks Lodge. 
Survivors include his wife of the home; a son, Johnny H. Lowry of Amarillo, Texas; two stepdaughters, Rebecca Pollard of Duncan and Cindy Knott of Grapevine, Texas; a sister, Emma Pettigrew of Duncan; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a host of sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews. 
He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers and eight sisters. 
Bearers will be Brian Knott, Larry Crawford, Kim Lowry, Eric Presgrove, Jerry Kinnaird and Dennis Trahan. 
Honorary bearers will be Dr. L.A. Hall, Johnny Robinson, Brinker Ivy, Bill Wetzel, Irby Wagnon, Kenny Sims, Don Grantham, Wilbert Clayton, Dick Runge, Bill Shelton and Joe Bill Whisenant. 

Bernie Stella Brazeal
Bernie Stella Brazeal, 84, 1606 Northridge, went to be with our Lord and with her loving husband, Delbert Brazeal, on Friday, Dec. 19, 1997, in Duncan Regional Hospital. 
Service was at 1:30 p.m. Monday in Don Grantham Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Jody Hilliard officiating. Burial was in Duncan Cemetery. 
Mrs. Brazeal was born June 12, 1913, in Ringling to Fred and Orelia (Baucom) Morris. On Sept. 29, 1940, she married Delbert T. Brazeal in Ringling. She was a teacher, retiring from the Duncan Public School system. 
She graduated from Central State College and began teaching at the age 20 in Mountain Home. She taught the fifth grade in Ringling for 18 years and taught 15 years at Duncan schools. Throughout her 36 years of teaching, she influenced hundreds of young lives. 
Her greatest joy was to meet former students and learn of their success in life. She was especially pleased by those who went into the teaching field. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Duncan. 
Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Donald and Esther Brazeal of Olney, Md.; a daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Newton Moore of Duncan; a brother and sister-in-law, H.L. and June Morris of Ardmore; a brother-in-law, Dick Dillon of Ardmore; three sisters-in-law, Inez Osborne and Dovie Sherrill, both of Duncan, and Virginia Brazeal of Norman; grandsons, Ross Brazeal of Olney, Greg Clinkenbeard and his wife, Kristen, and Jeff Clinkenbeard and his wife, Kim, all of Comanche; a granddaughter, Case Medlin and her husband, Gaylyn, of Starkville, Miss.; great-grandchildren, Trey Clinkenbeard, Kale Clinkenbeard, Cynthia Bayless, Tiffany Bayless, Jade Clinkenbeard and Chance Clinkenbeard; and special caregiving friends, Lucille Foss, Pauline Thompson, Bootsy Barton and Dixie Waggoner, all of Bray, Pink Underwood of Marlow and Callie Young of Velma. 
She was preceded in death by her husband on Sept. 7, 1993, her parents and a sister, Oneta Dillon of Ringling. 
Bearers were Nick Moore, Neal Moore, Karl Shackleford, Jeff Clinkenbeard, Greg Clinkenbeard and Case Medlin. 
Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church Building Fund. 

Lillie Mae Pogue
VELMA — Lifelong Velma resident Lillie Mae Pogue, 92, passed away Sunday, Dec. 21, 1997, in Valley View Regional Hospital in Ada. 
Service will be at 2 this afternoon in Velma Assembly of God Church with O.D. Bright officiating. Interment will be in New Velma Cemetery under the direction of Bailes-Polk Funeral Home. 
Mrs. Pogue was born July 11, 1905, in Pontotoc to Lee and Sara Ellen (McCartney) Brown. She married Quincy T. Pogue on Jan. 26, 1923, in Velma. 
She worked for Martins Grocery Store in Velma for 20 years and was a member of Velma Assembly of God. 
She was preceded in death by her husband on March 23, 1990, and her parents. 
Survivors include four sons, Wayne Pogue of Skellytown, Texas, Don Pogue of Wagoner, Randall Pogue of Ada and Bill Pogue of Seminole; a daughter, Margie Neal of Gainesville, Texas; a brother, Sid Wilson of Woodward; a sister, Mildred Denson of Checotah; 20 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. 
Bearers will be grandsons. 

Elmer Provence
FLETCHER — Elmer Arthur Provence, 70, of Fletcher died Sunday, Dec. 21, 1997, at home after a lengthy illness. 
Service will be at 2 this afternoon in Sterling First Baptist Church with the Rev. Doug Turney, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens in Lawton under the direction of Robbins Funeral Home in Fletcher. 
Mr. Provence was born Nov. 2, 1927, in McAlester and was raised in the Ringling area. He graduated from Claypool High School. On Oct. 16, 1948, he married Christine Herndon in Stillwater. 
He attended Murray State College and later taught a veterans agricultural program in Ringling. He also operated a dairy. 
He served in the Korean Conflict from 1951-53. After completing a degree at Oklahoma A&M, he became an associate county agent in Comanche County from 1957-65. He received his master's degree in agriculture economics from OSU and was assigned as an OSU Extension Farm Management Specialist to the southwest district and was stationed in Altus. 
He retired in 1984 and moved to the Sterling area where he was a full time farmer. He was a member of Sterling First Baptist Church and the OSU Alumni Association. 
Survivors include his wife of the home; a daughter, Sandra Kay Steele and her husband, Ray Anthony, of Austin, Texas; three sisters, Mary Belle Ketchum and Mildred Tabler, both of Ringling, and Marvella Davis of Wichita Falls; two brothers, George of Duncan and Roy of Sulphur; and a granddaughter, Alyssa Loraine Steele of Austin. 
He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer E. and Merna Windle Provence. 

Ray R. Reynolds
RINGLING — Service for Ray R. Reynolds, 78, of Ringling, who died Sunday, Dec. 21, 1997, in an Ardmore hospital after an extended illness, will be at 3:30 this afternoon in Community Fellowship Assembly of God Church with the Rev. John Douthit officiating. Interment will be in Dixie Cemetery, north of Ringling, under the direction of Reser Funeral Home in Ringling. 

Geneva Grace Dare Marks
Service for Geneva Grace Dare Marks, 79, 313 Beech, who died Sunday, Dec. 21, 1997, in Duncan Regional Hospital, is pending with Carter-Smart Funeral Home. 

Loyd Keck
Loyd Keck, 72, 304 Walnut, died Saturday, Dec. 20, 1997, at home. 
Service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Carter-Smart Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Mirl Yates officiating. Burial will be in Rock Creek Cemetery. 
The family will receive friends from 6-8 tonight. 
Mr. Keck was born June 26, 1925, in Marlow to Phillip M. and Virgie (Ziegenfuss) Keck. On Jan. 1, 1949, he married Mildred Willeford in Duncan. 
He retired from Stephens County where he worked with the road maintenance crew. He was a member of Assembly of God. 
Survivors include sons, Loye D. Keck, Richard Keck and Phillip Keck, all of Duncan, and Floyd Keck of Ohio; brothers, David, Bud, Charles and Darrel; sisters, Betty Jean, Pearl, Mary June and Martha; five grandchildren; and a special love, Rita Youngblood. 
He was preceded in death by his wife on Feb. 15, 1989. 
Bearers will be Gary Keck, Kenny Youngblood, Larry Keck, Scottie Casteel, Teddy Casteel and Eddie Kennemer. 

R.J. 'Jack' Conklin
ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — Former Duncan resident R.J. "Jack" Conklin, 36, of Arkansas City, died Thursday, Dec. 18, 1997, in Via Christi Medical Center-St. Francis Campus in Wichita, Kan. 
Service will be at 9 a.m. Monday in First Southern Baptist Church of Arkansas City. Burial will be at 3:30 p.m. Monday in Hope Community Cemetery near Duncan with Jim Littlefield, Jimmie Green and Kevin McSpadden officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Rindt-Erdman Funeral Home in Arkansas City. 
Mr. Conklin was born June 23, 1961, in Canyon, Texas, to Robert E. and Betty Ray (Campsey) Conklin. He was raised and educated in Duncan where he graduated from Duncan High School in 1979. He continued his education at Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa. 
On Aug. 7, 1982, he married Cindy Estes in Marlow. They made their home in Duncan until moving to Arkansas City in 1996. Mr. Conklin worked for American Eagle Airlines in Lawton as a mechanic for two years and has worked as a jet engine mechanic for General Electric Jet Engine Facility at Strother Field since August 1996. 
He was a member of First Southern Baptist Church and taught Sunday school for the seventh and eighth grade boys classes. 
Survivors include his wife; two sons, Estes Ray and Cody Lee, both of the home; a daughter, Jackie DeAnn "Dee" of the home; his mother of Canyon; and two brothers, Bobby of Kansas City, Kan., and Randy of Memphis, Tenn. 
He was preceded in death by his father and an infant sister. 
An education fund has been established for his children. Contributions to the fund may be made through the funeral home or sent directly to: Jack Conklin Children's Education Fund, c/o Legacy Bank, P.O. Box 1047, Duncan, OK 73534. 

Bernie Stella Brazeal
Bernie Stella Brazeal, 84, 1606 Northridge, went to be with our Lord and her husband, Delbert Brazeal, Friday, Dec. 19, 1997, in Duncan Regional Hospital. 
Service will be at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 22, 1997 at Don Grantham Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Jody Hilliard officiating. Burial will be in Duncan Cemetery. 
Mrs. Brazeal was born June 12, 1913, in Ringling to Fred and Orelia (Baucom Morris). On Sept. 29, 1940, she married Delbert T. Brazeal in Ringling. He preceded her in death on Sept. 7, 1993. 
Mrs. Brazeal graduated from Central State College and began teaching at the age of 20 at Mountain Home. She taught eight years in Ringling and 15 years in Duncan. Throughout her 36 years of teaching, she influenced hundreds of lives. Her greatest joy was meeting former students and learning of their success. She was especially pleased by those who went into teaching. Mrs. Brazeal retired from the Duncan Public School System. She was a member of First Baptist Church. 
She was preceded in death by a sister, Oneta Dillon of Ringling. 
Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Donald and Esther Brazeal of Olney, Md.; a daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Newton Moore of Duncan; a brother and sister-in-law, H.L. and June Morris of Ardmore; a brother-in-law, Dick Dillon of Ardmore; three sisters-in-law, Inez Osborne and Dovie Sherrill of Duncan, and Virginia Brazeal of Norman; special caring friends, Lucille Foss, Pauline Thompson, Pink Underwood, Boots Barton, Dixie Waggoner and Callie Young; and grandchildren, Jade Clinkenbeard, Trey Clinkenbeard, Kale Clinkenbeard, Cynthia Bayless, Tiffany Bayless, Chance Clinkenbeard, Ross Brazeal of Olney, Md., Greg and Kristen Clinkenbeard and Jeff and Kim Clinkenbeard, all of Comanche; and Gaylyn and Case Medlin of Starkville, Miss. 
Bearers will be Case Medlin, Jeff Clinkenbeard, Greg Clinkenbeard, Karl Shackleford, Nick Moore and Neal Moore. 
Memorial contributions can be made to the First Baptist Building Fund. 

George J. Smith
LAWTON — George J. Smith, 72, an Addington native, died Wednesday, Dec. 17, 1997, in a Lawton nursing home after a brief illness. 
Service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in Willis C. Worley Funeral Home in Waurika with the Rev. Teddy Bulla officiating. Burial will be in Fairlawn Cemetery in Comanche. 
Mr. Smith was born April 11, 1925, on a farm near Addington, the fifth of six children to John and Essie Smith. He grew up in the Addington area and graduated from Addington High School in 1942. 
On Aug. 26, 1958, he married Martha Jane Taylor in Wichita Falls. The couple made their home on the family ranch north of Addington. 
He was a lifelong cattleman and rancher. Before the Addington public school closed, he served a number of years on the school board and was a longtime member of Waurika Masonic Lodge No. 531. He was a member of the Oklahoma Cattleman's Association, VFW and was a veteran of World War II. 
Survivors include his wife of the home; a daughter, Polly Guthrie of Addington; a son, Clay Smith of Carrollton, Texas; a brother, Jerry Don Smith of Oroville, Calif.; two sisters, Mildred Thompson of Clovis, Calif., and Lucy Fite of Stillwater; and a grandson, Trey Guthrie of Addington. 
Bearers will be Bob Price, Paul Garretson, Jack Welch, Bud Miller, Brian Deaton and Dale Youree. Honorary bearers will be Howard Bowles, Jack Sides, Bill Bailey, Sonny Harrison, Bob Wheeler, Carl Mock and Reg Deaton. 

Eva Geneva Folsom
Eva Geneva Folsom, 77, 200 Lakewood, died Thursday, Dec. 18, 1997, in Duncan Regional Hospital. 
Service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Immanuel Baptist Church with Randy Southerland officiating, assisted by the Rev. Jack Robbins. Burial will be in Duncan Cemetery under the direction of Carter-Smart Funeral Home. 
Mrs. Folsom was born March 29, 1920, in Loco to Homer and Allie (Robinson) Bales. On Sept. 6, 1936, she married Wendell "Choc" Folsom in the Mountain Home Community. 
She and her husband were co-owners of J&E Machine Shop. She was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church. 
Survivors include three daughters, Fran Wray and Karen Simmons, both of Duncan, and Elaine Moore of Oklahoma City; a sister, Carol Blankinship of Burkburnett, Texas; five grandchildren, Kyle Herbert, Julie Herbert Demerson, Doug Simmons, Gini Moore-Campbell and Russell Simmons; and five great-grandchildren. 
She was preceded in death by her husband on June 18, 1975. 
Bearers will be John Kahn, Bill Woolf, Wallace Mooney, Murry Burum, Frosty Minick, Howard Brawdy and Eddie Byford. Honorary bearers will be members of Whosoever Will Sunday school class. 

Willie Smith
DARWIN — Service for former Duncan resident Willie Smith, 94, of Darwin, who died Tuesday, Dec. 16, 1997, at her home, was at 2 this afternoon in Antlers with burial in Darwin Cemetery. 

Donald Wayne Caveny
Service for Donald Wayne Caveny, 74, of Duncan, who died Monday, Dec. 15, 1997, at home, will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Southern Baptist Church in Rush Springs with burial in Rush Springs Cemetery under the direction of Callaway-Smith-Cobb Funeral Chapel in Rush Springs. 

Chesteen 'Babe' Johnson
Chesteen "Babe" Johnson, 78, 502 Walnut, died Sunday, Dec. 14, 1997, at home. 
Service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Carter-Smart Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Gary Burleson officiating. Burial will be in Duncan Cemetery. 
Ms. Johnson was born Nov. 21, 1919, in Addington to Floyd E. and Grace (Roesman) Phariss. 
Survivors include three sons, Eddie Elmo Johnson of Duncan and Chester Floyd Johnson and Henry Leon Johnson, both of Oklahoma City; two daughters, Arlene Veronica Trammell of Gainesville, Texas, and Velma Kay Cobb of Oklahoma City; a brother, Floyd Eugene Phariss of Tulsa; three sisters, Jimmy Alois Hobbs and Flolene Atteburry, both of Oklahoma City, and Dollie Curry of Bartlesville; 11 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. 
Bearers will be Mark Odam, Brian Mozingo, Austin Keck, Billy Mayberry, Johnny Wilkinson and Eddie Gee. 

Travis O. Driver
ADA — Former Duncan resident Travis O. Driver, 78, of Ada died Monday, Dec. 15, 1997, in an Ada hospital. 
Service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Criswell Funeral Home Chapel in Ada with the Rev. Al Potts officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. 
Mr. Driver was born June 23, 1919, in Lawrence (near Ada) to John Newton and Paralee Allison Driver. He attended grade school in Lawrence and high school at Fitzhugh and Horace Mann. On April 11, 1939, he married Josephine Blevins in Sulphur. 
He retired from Halliburton Oil Service in 1979 after 30 years of service. He was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church and Ada Lodge No. 119 AF&AM. 
Survivors include his wife of the home and several nieces and nephews. 
He was preceded in death by a brother, John N. Driver, in 1986. 
Bearers will be members of Ada Lodge No. 119 AF&AM. 

Orpha I. Morris
COMANCHE — Former longtime Duncan resident Orpha I. Morris, 87, 701 S. Ninth, Comanche, died Tuesday, Dec. 16, 1997, in Jefferson County Hospital in Waurika. 
Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Fairlawn Cemetery in Comanche with the Rev. Beryl Blair officiating under the direction of Don Grantham Funeral Home. 
Mrs. Morris was born Feb. 1, 1910, in Ardmore to Jasper Marion and Eliza (Fleming) Whitfield. On Dec. 29, 1928, she married F.L. "Lee" Morris. She was a homemaker and a member of Corum Baptist Church. 
Survivors include four children, Peggy Stokes of Bakersfield, Calif., Mary Griffith, 702 N. Main, Comanche, Vera Uyeyama of Lamar, Calif., and George Morris of Meridian; a brother, Alfus Whitfield of Waurika; 23 grandchildren; and 34 great-grandchildren. 
She was preceded in death by her husband on Dec. 17, 1972, her parents and four children, Mildred Kennedy, Margaret Morris, Robert Morris and Frank Morris.


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