Adair Co: Stilwell Democrat Journal- October 1998

October 1, 1998

Delmer Franklin COLES, son of Claude COLES and Martha COTTRELL COLES, was born March 3, 1935 in Adell, Okla., and departed this life to be with his Lord on Sept. 28, 1998 at Memorial Hospital in Stilwell, Okla., at the age of 63 years, 6 months and 24 days.
Delmer was married to Mary Lou COPELAND on Nov. 25, 1956 and from this union were born two children: Donnie Franklin and Gelina Diane. Delmer and his family have resided in the Hungry Mountain Community for many years, where he retired from the Tenkiller School System after working there for over 23 years in the custodial-maintenance department. Delmer loved children as every child that attended Tenkiller School knows. He was preceded in death by both parents and one sister, Pauline COLES-GIRDNER.
He is survived by: his wife, Mary Lou of the home; one son, Donnie of Okla.; one daughter, Gelina of Okla.; three brothers, Carlee "Chalk", Johnie and Harvey, all of Okla.; five sisters, Dorothy, Bertha, Bessie, Janey and Gelina, all of Okla.; and five grandchildren, Daniel Franklin, Amanda Gail, Tabitha Lynn, Troy Lynn and Mary Beth. Funeral services were to be held Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 2 p.m. at the Roberts/Reed-Culver Funeral Home.

Thursday, October 8, 1998

COCHRAN
George COCHRAN, son of Charlie COCHRAN and Maggie SAM COCHRAN, was born March 29, 1930 in Stilwell, Okla., and departed this life to be with his Lord on September 28, 1998 at his home in Stilwell at the age of 68 years, 5 months and 27 days.
George served his country during the Korean Conflict.  
He was preceded in death by both parents and one brother, Price COCHRAN.
He is survived by: five brothers, Martin, Tom, Sanders, Jerry and Johnny; three sisters, Mary Ann, Patsy and Corena; and two very special grandchildren, Mathew and Mark.
Funeral services were held Thursday, October 1, at the Salem Baptist Church with Rev. Lawrence EAGLE and Bro. George TEEHEE officiating. Interment followed at the Salem Cemetery under the direction of Roberts/Reed-Culver Funeral Home of Stilwell.

LEWELLEN
Graveside services for J.D. LEWELLEN were held Monday, October 5, in Ewing Chapel Cemetery with Rev. Ralph CANNON and Bro. Jerry BOATRIGHT officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Hart Funeral Home of Westville.
J.D. LEWELLEN, son of George D. and Minnie Bell ARNOLD LEWELLEN, was born February 10, 1945 in Colcord, Okla., and departed this life October 2, 1998 at his home in Westville at the age of 53 years, 7 months and 22 days.
On August 2, 1997, he and Rebecca Jane COLSTON were married in Decatur, Ark.  J.D. attended the Family Worship Center of Westville.
His parents and two sisters preceded him in death.
Survivors include: his wife, Jane, of the home; three children, Jerry Don, Candy Louise and Debbie, all of Ohio; three stepchildren, Gary Dale, Lora Jane and Earl, all of Okla; four brothers, Earl, Billy and Jr., all of Ark., and Bobbie of Kansas; two sisters, Ethel and Loren, both of Okla.; four grandchildren and five step grandchildren.

DRAKE
Graveside services for Mamie Kathrine DRAKE were held Monday, October 5, at the Stilwell City Cemetery with Rev. Evert BERRY officiating. Services were under the direction of Hart Funeral Home of Stilwell.
She was born March 22, 1911 in South Bend, Ind., to John and Alice POTTS LILY. She departed this life October 1, 1998 at the Gravette Medical Center in Gravette, Ark., at the age of 87 years, 6 months and 9 days.
She was married to Howard DRAKE who preceded her in death on March 18, 1987. She was of the Pentecostal faith.
Mamie is survived by: one son, Johnny A. of Ark.; four daughters, Haley and Kay, both of Okla., Lorraine of Ark., and Sadie of Wash.; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

DOUGLAS
Graveside services for Margaret Alice DOUGLAS were held Tuesday, October 6, at the Stilwell City Cemetery with Mr. Dave SANDERS officiating. Services were under the direction of Hart Funeral Home of Stilwell.
She was born February 9, 1911 in Franklin, Pa., to Henry and Melodia Maud MARSH YOUNG. She departed this life October 2, 1998 at the Tahlequah City Hospital in Tahlequah, Okla., at the age of 87 years, 7 months and 21 days.
Margaret was married to Calvin DOUGLAS in 1969 in Tulsa, Okla. She was a homemaker and was of the Baptist faith.
She was preceded in death by: her parents, Henry and Melodia YOUNG; her husband, Calvin DOUGLAS; one son, Leroy TAYLOR; one daughter Wanetta CROUSE; two grandchildren; two brothers and four sisters.
Margaret is survived by: one daughter, Kitty of Okla.; six grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

THOMPSON
Mary Frances THOMPSON, daughter of Luther CATES and Flossie CONLEY CATES, was born October 3, 1916 in Alamo, Tenn., and departed this life to be with her Lord on October 2, 1998 in Tulsa, Okla., at the age of 81 years, 11 months and 32 days.
Mary married Leonard "Tye" THOMPSON in Detroit, Mich. They moved to Stilwell in 1963 where they made their home. Although Mary never had any children of her own, she took Tye's children and grandchildren, loved and raised them as her own.
She was preceded in death by: both parents; husband Tye; two brothers, Charles and Max CATES of Alamo, Tenn., and one daughter, Mary LARGE of Tulsa.
She is survived by: two stepchildren, Len of Okla., and Sally of Calif.; ten grandchildren, Brenda, Lori, Billy and Joey, all of Okla., Sherry, Celia, Lisa and Tonya, all of Calif., and Lena of Mo.; 17 great grandchildren; and three great great grandchildren.
She will be deeply missed by all her family and friends. Funeral services were held Tuesday, October 6, at the Roberts/Reed-Culber Funeral Home Chapel in Stilwell with Bro. Jim NOBLE officiating. Interment followed at the Stilwell City Cemetery.

October 15, 1998

O'NEAL
Funeral services for Dillard C. "Tobe" O'NEAL were held Wednesday, Oct. 7, at the Hart Memorial Chapel with Rev. Tracy MEGLI officiating. Interment followed in the Stilwell City Cemetery.
Tobe was born Aug. 13, 1926 at the Dwight Mission in Sequoyah County, Okla., to Dave C. and Rachel Ann WILES O'NEAL. He departed this life Oct. 4, 1998 at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa, Okla., at the age of 72 years, 1 month and 21 days. Tobe served in the Navy during World War 11. He was married to Peggy Lou FREEMAN on May 27, 1951 in Stilwell, Okla. She preceded him in death on March 26, 1991. He was a banker and a member of the Calvary Southern Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by: his parents, Dave and Rachel O'NEAL; his wife, Peggy Lou O'NEAL; and two brothers, Henry Hoyt and Paul O'NEAL.
Tobe is survived by: one son Larry Don and one daughter, Katie, both of Okla.; two grandsons, Larry Bryan and Patrick Michael of Okla.; two granddaughters, Jamie Lou and Robin Elyse of Okla.; two brothers, Quinton "Cotton" of Calif., and Dale of Mo.

WATT
Funeral services for Isabelle WATT were held Friday, Oct. 9 at the Hart Memorial Chapel in Westville with Rev. Sherman NOFIRE officiating. Interment followed in the Downing Cemetery.
Isabelle was born July 29, 1921 in Baron, Okla. to Alex and Susan GUALTNEY DOWNING. She departed this life Oct. 5, 1998 at the Stilwell Nursing Home at the age of 77 years, 2 months and 6 days. Isabelle was married to George M. WATT and lived all of her life in Baron. She worked at Plus Poultry in Siloam Springs, Ark., before being disable. Isabelle was proud of her family and her Cherokee heritage. She was preceded in death by: her parents; her husband; one son, Alex William WATT; and one daughter, Janet FISHINGHAWK.
Isabelle is survived by: four sons, Jackson, Robert, Roger and Donald, all of Okla.; two daughters, Betty and Marilyn, both of Okla.; 12 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

KESTER
Earl Jackson KESTER, son of John Wesley KESTER and Maggie WHISENHUNT KESTER, was born June 16, 1923 in Oakwood, Okla., and departed this life to be with his Lord on Oct. 13, 1998 at him home in Stilwell at the age of 75 years, 3 months and 29 days.
Earl was married to Dolly Dimple SCHUMANN on Nov. 13, 1948 in Wellington, Texas, and from this union were born five children: Gene, Gary, Glen, Elaine and Janis. He served his country during W.W.11 in the Army. In his spare time he enjoyed panning for gold and reading. He was preceded in death by: both parents; five brothers, Clarence, Richard, Albert, Wesley and Herman; and one sister, Juanita MOORE.
He is survived by: his wife, Dolly, of the home; three sons, Gene, Gary and Glen, all of Okla.; two daughters, Elaine of Idaho, and Janis of Nev.; four grandchildren, Brett, Danielle, Christopher and Shawn; and two great-grandchildren, Morgan and Tyson. Graveside funeral services will be held Friday, Oct. 16, at 2 p.m. at the Stilwell City Cemetery under the direction of Roberts/Reed-Culver Funeral Home.

HILL
Funeral services for William "Don" HILL will be held Thursday, Oct. 15 at the Hart Memorial Chapel in Westville with Elder Cal KENNEDY officiating. Interment will be in the Westville City Cemetery under the direction of Hart Funeral Home of Westville.
He was born Feb. 11, 1945 in Littlefield, Texas, to Lon and Lorene JACKSON HILL. He departed this life Oct. 12, 1998 at the Northwest Medical Center in Springdale, Ark., at the age of 53 years, 8 months and 1 day. Don served in the Air Force during Vietnam and was a transporation manager for Simmons Industries. He was married to Retha HOLLAND on Nov. 4, 1974 in Chance, Okla. He was preceded in death by his father, Lon HILL.
Don is survived by: his wife Retha, of the home; his mother, Lorene of Okla.; four sons, Bill and Lance of Okla., Jack and Jeremy of Ark.; three daughters, Tarina of Mont., and Casey and Christina, both of Ark.; four brothers, J.T., Jack, Eddie and Gene, all of Texas; four sisters, Joyce of Mo., Reba and Janice, both of Ark., and Maurine of Okla.; and 11 grandchildren.

October 22, 1998

WELCH
Ruby Louise ALLBRITTON WELCH was born Nov. 5, 1922 in Osceola, Ark., to Luke and Pearl BURNETT ALLBRITTON. She departed this life Oct. 13, 1998 at the Stilwell Nursing Home at the age of 75 years, 11 months and 8 days. A private family memorial service is planned.
Ruby was married to Justlin WELCH on Sept. 25, 1946. He preceded her in death on Oct. 24, 1984. She was a homemaker and was of the Baptist faith. She was preceded in death by: her parents; two daughters, Frances Louise RUETTEN and Mary Wanda PENDLEY; three brothers; two sisters; two granddaughters, Betty Carol HINKLE and Paula Gail RUETTEN; one grandson, Kevin Dauane RUETTEN; and one great-granddaughter, Ruby Gail PENDLEY.
Ruby is survived by: one brother, Carl of Ark.; two daughters, Carolyn Ann of Ill., and Glenda of Okla.; three sons, Justlin Wayne of Wis., David Lee of Okla, and Donnie Douglas of Tenn.; 28 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.

KIMBLE
Ruth Eva KIMBLE, daughter of Ray WALTERS and Flossie SEARAT WALTERS, was born June 15, 1935 in Nicut, Okla., and departed this life to be with her Lord on Oct. 13, 1998 at St. Edwards Mercy Medical Center in Fort Smith, Ark., at the age of 63 years, 3 months and 27 days.
Ruth was married to Albert KIMBLE on Nov. 13, 1954 and from this union were born five children: Terressia, Martin, Karen, Jim and Steven. Ruth was a cook at Bell School for over 25 years before retiring. She was a faithful member of the Copic Baptist Church in Nicut, Okla., for many years. She was preceded in death by: both parents, one son, Steven Ray KIMBLE; one sister, Euna LAWSON; and one brother, Buford WALTERS.
She is survived by: her husband, Albert, of the home; two daughters Teressia and Karen; two sons, Martin and Jim; one brother Johnnie; three sisters, Eunice, Jo Ann and Janie; four grandchildren, Bethany, Rebecca, Jerod and Niki, all of Okla. Funeral services were held Thursday, Oct. 15 at the Copic Baptist Church in Nicut with Bro. Floyd KESTER and Bro. Lee KILLER officiating. Interment followed at the Seabolt Cemetery under the direction or Roberts/Reed-Culver Funeral Home of Stilwell.

COOPER
Viva Leona COOPER, daughter of Mathew James WHITFIELD and Alice DICKSON WHITFIELD, was born Sept. 5, 1905 in the Wauhillau Community of Indian Territory and departed this life to be with her Lord on Oct. 16, 1998 at Stilwell Nursing Home at the age of 93 years, 1 month and 10 days.
Viva was a pioneer woman of the Stilwell area, having delivered mail by horseback. She was a homemaker and loved tending to the garden and working on the farm. She was married to John COOPER in the 1960's. She was preceded in death by: both parents; husband, John COOPER in 1984; four brothers, Bill WHITFIELD, Ben WHITFIELD, Luke WHITFIELD and John WHITFIELD; and one sister, Fannie WHITFIELD.
She is survived by: two nieces, Zara of Calif., and Christine of Okla.; and by six great-nieces, Barbara, Jean, Carol, Beverly and Jan, all of Okla., and Parka of Texas. Graveside funeral services were to be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the Caney Cemetery under the direction of Roberts/Reed-Culver Funeral Home of Stilwell.

LYLES
Funeral services for William "Bill" E. Lyles were held Tuesday, Oct. 20, at the Hart Memorial Chapel with Bro. Bobby COTHREN officiating. Interment was in the Stilwell City Cemetery.
He was born May 15, 1932 in Ashland, Miss., to Gene and Estella STEWART LYLES. He departed this life Oct. 15, 1998 in Watts, Okla., at the age of 66 years and 5 months. Bill served in the Army during the Korean Conflict and was employed by Baldor Electric in Westville. He was married to Dorothy MORTON on Jan. 9, 1955 in Memphis, Tenn. He was of the Baptist faith. He was preceded in death by his father, Gene LYLES, and three sons, Ronald, Donald and Brian Eugene LYLES.
Bill is survived by: his wife, Dorothy, of the home; his mother Estella of Tenn.; one son Stephen of Okla.; two daughters, LaDonna of Okla. and Sharon of Ark.; four granddaughters, Margaret and Rebecca, both of Okla., and Andrea and Tracy, both of Ark.; one sister, Martha of Tenn.; and by one brother Marion of Miss.

SOAP
Funeral services for Nancy Jane WOLFE SOAP, 91, of Stilwell, were to be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, 1998 at the Mulberry Tree Baptist Church with Rev. Raymond GLASS and Rev. Willis KNIGHT officiating. Interment was to follow in the Mulberry Tree Cemetery under the direction of Reed-Culver Funeral Home of Tahlequah.
Mrs. SOAP was born April 4, 1907 in Stilwell, Okla., the daughter of Jack WOLFE and Lillie SCOTT WOLFE, and she died Oct. 21, 1998 in Tahlequah. Mrs. SOAP grew up in Stilwell and attended the Rabbit Trap School. She worked as a housekeeper for the Cox Hotel and a variety of other locations. She married Walter Watt SOAP on March 28, 1927. Unto this union three sons and one daughter were born. She was a member of the Mulberry Tree Baptist Church.
Mrs. SOAP was preceded in death by: her parents; her husband Walter; two brothers, Albert and Robert WOLFE; and two sisters, Mollie and Mary Jane.
Survivors include: three sons, Henry of Ark., and Jimmie and Albert of Okla.; one daughter, Narcie of Okla.; 12 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

TEEHEE
Funeral services for Phyllis Jean TEEHEE were held Friday, Oct. 16, 1998 at 2 p.m. at Salem Baptist Church with Rev. Lawrence EAGLE and Rev. Frank MINK officiating. Interment followed in the Salem Cemetery under the direction of Hart Funeral Home of Stilwell.
Phyllis was born March 20, 1971 at W.W. Hastings Hospital in Tahlequah, Okla. to Betty Sue TEEHEE. She departed this life to with her Lord and Savior on Oct. 13 at 6 p.m. at Hastings Hospital at the age of 27 years, 6 months and 25 days. She fought a long battle with cystic fibrosis. Even though it was a struggle for her now and then, she lived a happy, fulfilling life until the Lord called her home, where she no longer knows pain nor sadness. Phyllis was a member of the Salem Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by: one sister Lora Mae TEEHEE; her grandmother, Lula Mae TEEHEE; and two uncles, Junior and Woodrow TEEHEE.
She is survived by her mother, Betty Sue; her grandfather Troy, also of the home; five aunts, Virginia, Wynona, Wanda, Donna, and Brenda all of Okla.; also three uncles, Leroy, Truman and Herman, all of Okla.; and 11 cousins, Norman, Raymond, Lula, Victor, Brandon, Tyrone, Jennifer, Veronica, Clayton, John Eric and Billie Jean.

SWEPSTON
Funeral services for Virgil Lee Swepston will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, at the Abundant Life Church in Wagoner with the Reverends Robert COLTON and Cecil SUGGS officiating. Interment will follow at the Caney Cemetery under the direction of Shipman Funeral Home and Crematory in Wagoner.
Virgil Lee SWEPSTON, age 78, was born Sept. 26, 1920 at Barber, Okla., to Viola and Leanard SWEPSTON. He was a resident of Cherokee County until entering the Air Force, Oct. 5, 1942. He served in Southeast Asia, China, India and the Burma Theater until January 1946. He earned an honorable discharge at Camp Chaffee, Ark., with three Service Ribbons and two Bronze Stars, W.W.11 Victory Ribbon, Good Conduct and the American Theater Ribbon. Virgil married Irene Jo CAVINESS on Dec. 30, 1948. They moved to Bartlesville, Okla., in 1951. There he worked for T-R-W Reda Pump Company for 27 years. After retirement they moved to Tahlequah in 1983 and lived there until moving to Wagoner in 1995. Virgil was born into the Kingdom of God in 1966 and was of the Holiness faith.
He is survived by his wife Irene, of the home; three daughters, Cleo and Susan Gail, both of Okla., and Glenda of Ark.; three sons, Gary of Kansas, Freddy of Okla., and Stanley of Calif. He is also survived by three sisters, Geraldine and Vera, both of Okla., and Pauline of Calif.; 14 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Virgil was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Marie HALL and Juanita MOONEY. Virgil passed from this life Oct. 17, 1998 at the Muskogee Regional V.A. Medical Center in Muskogee.

October 29, 1998

DENTON
Doris SueAnn DENTON, 74, of Evansville, Ark., departed this life Sunday, Oct. 25, 1998, at her home.
She was born May 6, 1924, at Aberdeen, Wash., daughter of Bailey T. and Ethel WHITE GOLDMAN. She was the widow of Rex Curtis DENTON. She was a lifelong resident of Evansville, owned and operated Denton Grocery with her husband Rex for 20 years, and a member of Evansville Extension and Quilting Club. She was also supervisor of the Vineyard Township Voting Precinct. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, Clayburn, Jack and William Polk, and her sister Hilda.
Survivors include a son, Harry of Ark.; two daughters, JoAnn and Jackie, both of Ark.; a brother Rayburn of Ark.; two sisters, Frances of N.C. and Charlotte of Ark.; seven grandchildren, Greg, Jennifer, Ryan, Melissa, Stefanie, Regina and Curtis, all of Ark.; and four great-grandchildren, RaShelle, Shandon, Kristian and Slayter.

BURROW
Marjo BURROW, daughter of Goodman HEWITT and Helen Marguerite HEWITT-GREGORY was born September 25, 1945 in Westville, Okla., and departed this life to be with her Lord on Oct. 21, 1998 at Memorial Hospital in Siloam Springs, Ark., at the age of 53 years, and 25 days. Marjo was a resident of the Westville Nursing Home for many years. She was preceded in death by both parents.
She is survived by: one brother, James of Missouri and a host of friends of the Westville area. Graveside funeral services will be held, Saturday, Oct. 24, 1998 at the Ewing Chapel Cemetery in Stilwell with Bro. Andy Harlin officiating under the direction of Roberts Funeral Home of Westville.

HUMMINGBIRD
Charley HUMMINGBIRD, son of Jim HUMMINGBIRD and Jensie BENDABOUT HUMMINGBIRD was born May 19, 1923 in Stilwell, and departed this life to be with his Lord at his home in the Rocky Mountain Community on Oct. 24, 1998 at the age of 75 years, 5 months and 5 days.
Charley has been a resident of the Rocky Mountain Community all of his life where he attended school as a young boy and was a member of the Echota Baptist Church. He is preceded in death by both parents, one brother, Alex HUMMINGBIRD, and four sisters; Susie, Betsy, Lillie and Betty. Charley was an avid Bible reader who loved to talk the Gospel to his family and friends.
He is survived by 10 nephews: Levi, Jim, Calvin, Richard, Luke, Jimmy, Alex, Buck and Tommy; 11 nieces: Rosa, Patricia, Sadie, Loretta, Cynthia, Lennie, Annie, Nellie, Vera, Ruby and Peggy. A wake was held in his honor at the Jim HUMMINGBIRD residence on Monday, Oct. 26, 1998. Funeral services were held Tuesday, Oct. 27, 1998, at 1 p.m. at the Echota Baptist Church with Rev. Ellis Foster officiating. Interment followed at the Echota Cemetery under the direction of Roberts/Reed-Culver Funeral Home of Stilwell.

REAVIS
Funeral services for Toinette REAVIS, 62, of Tahlequah were held Tuesday in the Green Country Funeral Home Chapel in Tahlequah. Brother Robert Dewoody officiated.
Toinette was born on July 28, 1936, the daughter of Tommie Lou WOLFE and Shake HOGNER in Claremore. She went to be with the Lord on Sunday, Oct. 25, 1998. Toinette was born and raised in the Rocky Mountain area of Adair County. She attended and graduated from Cave Springs High School and later attended and graduated from Hillcrest Nursing School. Upon graduation she began her nursing career at Tahlequah City Hospital, retiring in 1988. She continued her career at W.W. Hastings Hospital until her retirement on Sept. 1, 1998. She was a member of Grace Baptist Church where she attended for many years. Toinette was preceded in death by her parents.
She is survived by her children: Jack Anthony, Sheryl and Carol Sue of Okla., Brenda Lee of Texas, and Michael of Neb.; 11 grandchildren: Ashley Ariel, Bayly Christie, Maryah Cheyenne, Madison, Clint Ransom, Luke Aaron, Joshua David and Jennifer Rachel of Okla., Eastman Grady of Texas, Zachary Michal and Reed Dalton of Neb. She is also survived by a special friend, John of Okla.; a brother, Jerry of Okla.; and a sister Jeanette of Calif.