Margaret Ann Drake

Margaret Ann Drake, 70, of Poteau, OK passed away on Thursday, January 21, 2010 in Pocola, Oklahoma. Margaret was born on June 5, 1939 in Monroe, Oklahoma to Troy & Flora Bell (Barnes) Mahorney. She was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, & homemaker. Her husband, Leon Drake; her parents, & 2 brothers, Troy & Chad Mahorney precede her in death. Margaret is survived by a son & daughter in law, Charles & Missy Drake of Howe, OK; 3 daughters & sons in law, Susie & Charlie McCoy of Poteau, OK, Donna Carden Eller & Sandy & Tim Crase all of Panama, OK; a brother, John Henry Mahorney of Helena, OK; 3 sisters, Sue Dildine of Owasso, OK, Sallie Bush of Bentonville, AR, Barbara Alusi of Atlanta, GA; 10 grandchildren, Hayley, Torey, Jeff, Aaron, Chris, Jon, Jordan, Jason, Tyler, & Kali; 5 great grandchildren, Brett, Trinity, Colton, Cassie, & Avery; 1 great granddaughter on the way; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives & loved ones; and many beloved friends. Funeral services for Margaret were held at 10:00 am, Saturday, January 23, 2010 at Evans Chapel of Memories in Poteau, OK with the Reverend Jimmy D. Cook officiating. Interment followed the services in Oakland Cemetery, Poteau, OK with arrangements under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home of Poteau, OK. Pallbearers were Jeff, Chris, & Aaron McCoy, Brad Royston, Jon & Jordan Carden. Honorary pallbearers were Jason & Tyler Crase.

James Park Kidd

James Park Kidd, 92, longtime resident of Poteau, OK passed away on Thursday, January 14, 2010 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. James was born on January 19, 1917 in Poteau, Oklahoma to Robert Lee Sr. & Ruby Park Kidd. He graduated from Poteau High School in 1935. He attended Arkansas University for one year, then transferred and graduated from Oklahoma University in 1940, after which he worked at Lockheed Aircraft in Burbank, California. After Pearl Harbor, he was drafted in the Army as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Field Artillery. From North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France and Germany was the job and he served honorably until the War was over. He achieved the rank of Captain, and after 16 years in the Army Reserve; he received the rank of Major. After the war he returned to California and after a year and a half moved back to Poteau to go in business with his brother. He and his brother had the Poteau News & LeFlore County Sun from 1947-1979. He lived in Poteau until his health forced him and Martha to move to Broken Arrow in 2003 and he has missed Poteau every single day. Jim is preceded in death by his parents; a son William Lewis Kidd; & 2 brothers, Robert Lee Kidd Jr. & Edward Burton Kidd. Jim is survived by his beloved wife, Martha Kidd of the home; 2 sons & daughters in law, Jim II & Karen Kidd of Tulsa, OK & Vic & Teresa Kidd of Houston, TX; a daughter & son in law, Martha Anne & Randy Blakestad of Lufkin, TX; 9 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; numerous other relatives & loved ones & many beloved friends. Funeral services for Jim were held at 1:00 pm Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at First United Methodist Church of Poteau, OK with the Reverend Greg Tener officiating. Interment followed the services in Oakland Cemetery with arrangements under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home of Poteau, OK.

Alfred Barnes

Alfred C. Barnes, 84, of Hartford, Arkansas passed away Saturday, January 16, 2010 in Hartford. Alfred was born on May 13, 1925 in Howe, OK to Clyde M. & Eurania (Kiefer) Barnes. Alfred was a construction worker. He was a veteran of the US Army. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Charles & Monroe Barnes. Survivors include his sisters, Florence Seely of Mansfield, AR, Juanita Buckman of Plainview, AR, & Edith Burrows of Mansfield, AR; brothers, A.C. Barnes of Hartford, AR, Clarence Barnes of Wichita, KS and Dean Barnes of Hartford, AR; numerous nieces & nephews, other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends. Services were held 10 am, Monday, January 18, 2010 at James Fork Baptist Church in Hartford, AR with Rev. Charles Whedbee officiating. Interment followed in Memorial Park Cemetery, Hartford, Arkansas, under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home, Poteau, OK.

William Dan " Bill" Minor

Bill Minor, 63, of Poteau, OK passed away Wednesday, January 13, 2010 in Poteau. He was born in Poteau on March 14, 1946 to Muriel A. & Gertrude (Shamblin) Minor. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers, Bob & Buford Collier. Bill is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives & loved ones; and many beloved friends. Graveside services will be held 2 pm, Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at Oakland Cemetery with Rev. Clyde Hess officiating.

Teresa Ann (Sanders) Gober

Teresa Ann Gober, 55, of Monroe, OK passed away Friday, January 15, 2010 in Monroe. Teresa was born April 10, 1954 to Roy & Mary Sanders in Poteau, OK. She was a homemaker. She was a member of Trinity Baptist Church in Poteau. Teresa was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry D. Gober on May 1, 2007. She loved music and singing. Survivors include 2 daughters & son in law, Tina Shepard of Shady Point, OK, Tammy & Darin Giesler of Monroe, OK; parents, Roy & Mary Sanders of Monroe, OK, 6 Grandchildren, Zachary, Kyle, Blake, Alyssa, Caleb & Jenna; sisters & brother in law, Beverly & Charles Courtade of Comstock Park,MI, Mary Merkling of Wister, OK; brothers & sisters in law, Roy Jr. & Cherry Sanders of Maumalle, AR, Ray & Joanna Sanders of Seattle, WA, John & Leigh Sanders of Spiro, OK; other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends. Services will be held 2 pm, Monday, January 18, 2010 at Trinity Baptist Church, Poteau, OK with Rev. Leroy Billy officiating. Interment will follow in Monroe Cemetery, Monroe, OK.

Richard Goines

Richard Goines, 88, of Panama, OK passed away on Thursday, January 14, 2010 in Poteau, OK. Richard was born on January 25, 1921 in Panama, OK to Stirl & Claudie (Kilgore) Goines. He was of the Assembly of God faith & was a farmer & factory worker. Richard’s wife, Doyce Goines; sisters Mildred Grissom, Opal Starr, & Jewel Phelps; brothers, Jessie, Freddie, Andrew, Johnny, & Leroy Goines preceded him in death. Richard is survived by 4 sisters & brothers in law, Rachel & Bill Holstead of Shady Point, OK, Lou Cravens, Phyllis & J.P. Moody, & Shirley & Jerry Bunch, all of Spiro, OK; 4 brothers & sisters in law, Doyle Goines of Spiro, OK; Edward & Trudy Goines of Quinnland, TX, Luther Goines of Mesquite, TX, & Amos & Pat Goines of Bridgeport, TX; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives & loved ones and many beloved friends. Funeral services for Richard were held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, January 16, 2010 at Evans Chapel of Memories in Poteau, OK with the Reverend Frankie Harris officiating. Interment followed the services in Fairview Cemetery with arrangements under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home of Poteau, OK. Pallbearers were Troy Rowland, Ernest Smalley, Jimmy Bunch, Charles Bunch, Charles Loomis, Kenny Dehart, Gene Skelton, & John Harris

Evelyn Grace White

Evelyn Grace White, 98, of Poteau, OK passed away on Sunday, January 10, 2010 in Poteau. Evelyn was born on June 21, 1911 in Killen, AL to Frank C. & Anna (Heinrick) Peck. She was the 14th of 14 children born to her parents. Evelyn was a member of First United Methodist Church of Poteau & a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her parents, 9 brothers, 4 sisters, and her beloved husband of 47 years, Grady Otis White. Evelyn married Otis White on December 25, 1937. They lived in Tennessee until 1943 when they moved to Cleveland, Ohio. Evelyn worked for Fisher Body in air ducts of the B-29 bombers. Later, they moved to California and got jobs working in the shipyards. Evelyn was hired as a drill press operator (Rosie the Riveter). In 1945 they returned to Poteau where they operated a farm/cattle operation until Otis passed away in 1984. Evelyn continued to live on the farm until 2007 when ill health forced her to move into an assisted living center in Poteau. At the age of 93, Evelyn flew to Richmond, CA where she received a certificate of appreciation from the Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Society. Music was always a very important part of Evelyn’s life. She was a faithful member of her church choir until December 20, 2009. At the age of 95, an anthem was written in her honor with her years of service to God through her ministry of music in mind by Dallas composer, Gregory Ayers. Evelyn was known to say, “I do not regret anything I’ve done and I am glad that I got to experience everything I did. I’m fortunate and God has blessed me tremendously.” Evelyn is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives & loved ones; her friends & church family. Funeral services for Evelyn were held at 2:00 pm, Thursday, January 14, 2010 at First United Methodist Church of Poteau, OK with the Reverend Greg Tener officiating. Interment followed the services in Oakland Cemetery with arrangements under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home of Poteau, OK. Pallbearers were Kyle Hardaway, Jeff Mixon, Steve Clark, Richard Peck, Johnny Baker, & Toby Culver.

Faye Essman

Faye Essman, 85, of Tulsa, Oklahoma (formerly of Poteau, OK) passed away Thursday, January 7, 2010 in Tulsa. Faye was born in Page, OK on February 14, 1924 to Tom & Ethel (Glaze) Graham. Faye was a member of Southside Baptist Church in Poteau, OK. She was a good Christian lady who lived a good life and was very active in helping her neighbors in ways such as serving them meals and looking after them. She helped win many to the Lord. Survivors include her son, Earl Kinas of Tulsa, OK; sister, Reba Skinner of Seattle, WA; brother, Dale Graham of Tulsa, OK; 9 Grandchildren; 19 Great Grandchildren; 2 Great Great Grandchildren; other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends. Services were held 2 pm, Saturday, January 9, 2010 at Evans Chapel of Memories, Poteau, Ok with Rev. Jim Cook officiating. Interment followed in Oakland Cemetery, Poteau, OK.

Kenny Dean Hebert

Kenny Dean Hebert, 66, of Poteau, OK passed away January 5, 2010 in Ft. Smith, AR. He was born October 23, 1954 in Poteau to Harold & Geraldine (Flanagan) Hebert. Kenny was a member of Victory Worship Center of Spiro, OK. He was a beloved husband & an excellent & caring father who raised his children with love & knowledge. He was a generous son & brother & a greatly anticipated grandpa. He opened many young minds at Carl Albert State College as an educator. He opened many hearts to the Lord through his work at the church & as a Sunday School teacher. Kenny was a Sooner fan in the best & worst of times. Kenny was a Good Shepherd to his flock in more ways than one. He was active in the Eagle Scouts & 4H members; an avid FFA supporter; had received several professorship awards at CASC; & was a Deacon of Assemblies of God for many years. He went home to be with his Lord & Savior & family members. He was preceded in death by his father & a brother in law, Phillip McDonald. Survivors include his beloved wife of 35 years & 11 months, Priscilla Hebert of the home; son, Andy Hebert of the home; daughter & son in law, Tracy Hebert Lamb & Jeremy Lamb of Poteau, OK; mother, Geraldine Hebert of the home; sister, Carol St. John of Arlington, VA; brothers & sister in law, Jim Hebert of Poteau, OK, Phillip & Brenda Hebert of Poteau, OK; father in law & mother in law, Arthur E. & Juanita McDonald of Ft. Smith, AR ; brothers in law & sisters in law, Gary & Jeanne McDonald of Barling, AR, Tanya & Gene Young of Ft. Smith, AR, Clyde & Barbara McDonald of Sugarloaf, AR, Danny & Karen McDonald of Alma, AR; other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends. Services were held 2 pm, Friday, January 8, 2010 at Victory Worship Center, Spiro, OK with Rev. Brian Fout, Rev. Steve Hughes, & Rev. Clyde McDonald officiating. Interment followed in Oakland Cemetery, Poteau, OK. Pallbearers were Jerry Holton, Steve Hughes, Rob Wylie, Danny Wann, Jeremy Lamb & Eric Lamb. Evans & Miller Funeral Home, Poteau, OK

Elizabeth A. Heavener

Elizabeth A. Heavener, 66, of Shady Point, OK passed away Sunday, January 3, 2010 in Poteau, OK. She was born March 30, 1943 in Booneville, AR to Robert & Addie (Beshears) Anderson. Liz was a retail clerk. Survivors include her daughter & son in law, Chantay & Hoss Deleplank of Shady Point, OK; son, Roy Heavener of Shady Point, OK; 4 grandsons, Beau, Jason, Wyatt & Spud; 1 great grandson, Nathion; 2 sisters, Betty Wade and Merle Smith, both of Shady Point, OK; brother, Bob Anderson of Owasso, OK; special niece, Tammie Hetherington; special friends at Tote-A-Poke; other relatives & Loved ones; many beloved friends. Services were held 2 pm, Thursday, January 7, 2010 at the First Assembly of God Church in Shady Point, OK with Rev. Mike Bunch & Rev. Joe Owen officiating. Interment followed in Shady Point Cemetery, Shady Point, OK. Pallbearers were Michael Jackson, Mark Jiminez, Rick Etmire, Donnie Williams, Robert Wright, & Matthew White. Evans & Miller Funeral Home, Poteau, OK

Charles Bruce Smith, Jr.

Charles Bruce Smith, Jr. 62 of Muldrow, OK passed away on Friday, January 1, 2010 in Muldrow. Charles was born on August 21, 1947 in Helena, AR to Charles B. Smith Jr. & Edna Earl (Sanders) Smith. Charles was a Baptist & a veteran of the US Army serving in Vietnam where he earned 2 Purple Heart Medals, the Bronze Star, & the Medal of Valor. Charles was a war hero. He served as Chief of Police at Howe, OK Charles’s wife Dina Smith; his mother Edna Smith, & a brother Earl Smith all preceded him in death. Charles is survived by his 2 daughters Joanie Roberts of Van Buren, AR & Carol Bell of Poteau, OK; 3 sons, Jeremy Smith of Lavaca, AR, Joseph Smith of Hackett, AR, & Charlie Hewett of Pocola, OK; 2 stepsons Steven Goins of Fort Smith, AR & Bryan Goins of Roland, OK; a stepdaughter Tina Muise of Muldrow, OK; 19 grandchildren; a sister Brenda Wagley of Poteau, OK; his father, Charles B. Smith Sr. of Shady Point, OK; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives & loved ones and many beloved friends. Funeral services for Charles were held at 12:30 pm, Thursday, January 7, 2010 at Evans Chapel of Memories in Poteau, OK with Brother Terry Hurt officiating. Interment followed the services at 2:00 pm at Fort Smith National Cemetery in Fort Smith, AR with arrangements under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home of Poteau, OK. Pallbearers were Jay Muise, Bryan & Steven Goins, Bobby Whitaker, John Hallman, Ron Wagley, James Villegas, Craig Olienyk. Honorary pallbearers were Jeremy & Joseph Smith.

Steven L. Tomblinson

Steven L. Tomblinson, 58, of Poteau, OK passed away January 1, 2010 in Wichita, KS. Steven was born in Oklahoma City, OK on February 18, 1951. He was a general laborer. He was preceded in death by his wife, Frances Ruby Tomblinson; brother, Dewayne Tomblinson; and sister, Susan Coffey. Survivors include his daughter & son in law, Stephanie & Roy Lowe of Poteau, OK; 5 sons & daughters in law, Phillip & Nancy Tomblinson of Muskogee, OK, Robert & Lisa Tomblinson of Poteau, OK, Steven & Shelly Tomblinson of Muskogee, OK, Jesse Tomblinson of Muskogee, OK, Michael Tomblinson of Muskogee, OK; 19 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; mother Wanda McIntyre of Poteau, OK; brothers, Tommy & wife Dawn Tomblinson of Poteau, OK, David & wife Michelle Fredrickson of Hodgen, OK; other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends. Services will be 1 pm, Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at the First Church of the Nazarene in Wister, OK with Rev. Jack Covey officiating. Interment will follow in Ellis Chapel Cemetery - Wister, OK. Pallbearers will be Phillip, Robert, Steven, Mike & Tommy Tomblinson and Roy Lowe.