Violet "Lucille" Covey

 

Lucille Covey, 77, of Panama, OK passed away Monday July 30, 2012 in Panama.  Lucille was born August 8, 1934 in Strang, OK to J.L. & Gertie (Sales) Lowery.  Lucille was a chamber member of the Poteau Valley Baptist. She was a homemaker and loved flowers and gardening. Lucille was preceded in death by her parents J.L. & Gertie (Sales) Lowery; husband Johnny Covey; grandson Jeremy Covey.

Survivors include son and daughter in law Johnny Lee & Elaine Covey; 2 grand daughters  Jennifer & Ronnie Meeks, Jeanie & Michael Riggs; 1 grandson Allen Harper;7 great grandchildren, Lucas Meeks, Ryder Meeks, Braden Riggs, Zander Riggs, Jacob Harper, Caitlyn Harper. Numerous Nieces, Nephews, Friends & Loved ones.

Services will be 10:00am Wednesday at the Poteau Valley Baptist Church in Poteau, OK. Interment will follow at the Shady Point Cemetery.

Vera Mecom Watson

Vera Mecom Watson, 93, of Poteau; passed to be with her lord Monday, July 30, 2012 at Spiro Nursing Home. Born January 13, 1919 she was the daughter of Jim and Alta Mecom. She married

Marvin Watson January 24, 1937. She was a retired seamstress of Hamlin Garment Factory in Poteau. She was a long time member of the Calvary Assembly of God Church.

Vera is survived by daughter JoAnne Sebo of Spiro,OK and daughter and son in law Donna and Eddie Davis of Wilburton,OK; grandsons Dennis and Judy Sebo of Memphis, TN; Gary and Jennifer Sebo of Spiro,OK; granddaughter Chrissy and Marty Calloway of Sallisaw, OK; great grandchildren Caleb, Stephanie, Whitney, and Kaitlin Sebo, Caley Calloway Jordan, Cole, Caroline and Syler Davis, one sister Margie and A.G. Rogers of Lead Hill, AR; one brother Bob Mecom of Tulsa,OK; numerous relatives and loved ones. Vera was proceeded in death by her parents Jim & Alta Mecom, one sister Jean Goldsborough, two brothers J.C. and Eulus Mecom, and husband Marvin Watson.

 Services will be held 1pm Thursday August 2 at Evans & Miller Funeral Home Chapel in Poteau,OK . Pallbearers will be Dennis Sebo, Steve Sebo, Lance Davis, Kevin Davis, Jonathan Watson, and Keith Davis.   

Sonnie Fullen

     John “Sonnie” Fullen, 64, of Shady Point, OK passed away Thursday, July 26, 2012 in Fort Smith, AR.  Sonnie was born July 9, 1948 in Poteau, OK to John Hoyt & Modean (Seaborn) Fullen.  He was a general contractor.  Sonnie was a member of the Calhoun Baptist Church and the Poteau Masonic Lodge. 

      Survivors include his wife, Cathy of the home; daughters, Toni Leigh Lands of Elk Grove, CA, Gwen Marie Totten of Bend, OR, Kaci Dawn Parker & husband Jeff of Spokane, WA, Sunni Rhea Fullen of Denton, TX; mother, Modean Totten of Poteau, OK and other mother Faye Fullen of Wister, OK; sisters, Dian Jenson & husband Gary of McAlester, OK, Connie Tuck & husband Steve of Paris, TX, Tammy Kasey of LaGrande, OR; brothers, Joe Fullen & wife, Eileen of Pittsfield, NH, Danny Totten of Poteau, OK; stepsons, Jeff Cooper and Chad Cooper; 9 grandchildren; 1 great grand; numerous nieces & nephews; other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends.

     Services will be 2 pm, Saturday, July 28, 2012 at Calhoun Baptist Church with Rev. Steve Hughes & Rev. Larry Free.  Interment will be in Shady Point Cemetery, Shady Point, OK.  Pallbearers will be Cody Jenson, Toby Jenson, Heath Odom, Jeremy May, Wendell Giles, Brandon Totten.  Honorary pallbearers will be Otis Slone, Harold Means, Donald Akers, Gordon Williams.

     The family will be at the funeral home Friday evening from 6-8 pm to visit relatives & friends.

Contributions may be made to Grace Cottage or Grace Place.

Kimmi S. Massey

     Kimmi Sarah Massey, 26,of Poteau, OK passed away Saturday, July 21, 2012 in Poteau.  Kimmi was born September 23, 1985 in Bend, OR to Delbert Wayne Massey & Dolores Jean Underwood.  She was a homemaker.

     Survivors include her daughter, Sara & Amanda Massey; sons, Johnathan & Triston Massey; her mother; sisters, Paula Dee Hernandez, Heather Marie Saylor, & Elizabeth Underwood; brother, Eric Hansel; other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends.

      Memorial services will be held 2pm Sunday, July 29, 2012 at House of Hope Church in Poteau, OK.

Phyllis Agee

Phyllis A. Agee, 48, of Pocola, OK passed away Sunday, July 22, 2012 in Fort Smith, AR.  Phyllis was born November 8, 1963 in Poteau, OK to Leon Newton & Rosie Lee (Woodral) Miller.    She was a  loving mother and homemaker.

Survivors include her companion, Jimmy Pinkston of Bokoshe, OK; daughter, Shilo Alexis Agee of Pocola, OK; son, Harley Agee of Pocola, OK; parents, Leon & Rose Miller of Lookeba, OK; 4 sisters, Vicky Wright of Arkoma, OK, Brenda Yates  and Connie Elder of Hinton, OK, Debra Loomis of Wister, OK; 4 Grandchildren; the father of her children, Harold Agee of Oklahoma City, OK; numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends.

Services will be 3 pm, Thursday, July 26, 2012 at Trinity Baptist Church in Pocola, OK with Rev. Keith Allen officiating.   Interment will follow in Short Mountain Cemetery, Cowlington, OK.  Pallbearers will be Marcus Caldwell, Richard Wright, Kyle Caldwell, Fred Yates, Michael Oliver, Jacob Pinkston. 

AUDREY "Opal" BOWERS

  

    Audrey "Opal" Bowers, 83, of Buck Creek, OK passed away Monday July 23, 2012 in Ft. Smith, AR.  She was born February 23, 1929 in Panama, OK to John and Annie Dell Eatmon.  As a military wife, she lived in Pennsylvania, Fresno, CA, Minot, ND,  and El Paso, TX before returning to her hometown to be with family and friends whom she dearly loved.  She was a homemaker who eventually earned her CDL license and enjoyed cross country trucking with the love of her life.  Opal was a wonderful cook and loved family dinners and would use any excuse to have one.  Opal is preceded in death by her beloved husband Paul Bowers, her parents; sister, Tempie Bea Padier of San Angelo, TX, Lucille Jackson, Ft. Worth, TX; brother, Jerry Eatmon of Buck Creek, OK; daughters, Ginger Esparza of Las Cruces, NM, Julie Emmert and Tammy Bowers both of Panama, OK

    She leaves to mourn her passing her daughters, Pam Paul of Hackett, AR, Debbie Meredith of Panama, OK; sister, Ocie Hale of Spiro, OK; sister-in-law Velta Eatmon of Buck Creek, OK; sons-in-law, Ricardo “Ric” Esparza of Las Cruces, NM, Rufus Paul of Hackett, AR, Rickey Meredith of Panama, OK,  & Chuck Emmert of Ft. Smith, AR; 10 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

    Family and friends will be welcomed Saturday, July 28, 2012 from 9-10 am, at Evans Chapel of Memories, Poteau, for visitation and viewing with funeral services  following at 10 am in the chapel. Interment at Shady Point Cemetery, Shady Point, OK.  Pallbearers were Ricky Esparza, Jerimy Emmert, Jason Meredith, Brandon Skelton, Kyle Pierce and Perry Hale.  Honorary pallbearers were Corbin Stam, RA Paul, Brian Paul, Chuck Emmert, and Mack McCormick.  Evans & Miller Funeral Home, Poteau, OK.

Michael Frye

                                         Michael Kelly Frye, 54, of Chicago, IL (formerly of Poteau, OK) passed away Wednesday, July 18, 2012 in Chicago.  Michael was a 1975 graduate of Poteau High School.  He attended Sparks School of Radiology Tech, graduating in 1978 with a Degree in Radiology and Specialty in Nuclear Medicine.  He graduated from Murray State College in 1986 with an ABN in Nursing and completed his BSN at Elmhurst College.  Michael was working as a staff nurse at Illinois Advocate Masonic Medical Center, Surgical-Trauma and ICU and Emergency Department. For 20 years he worked as a flight nurse with Flying Nurses International transporting patients domestically and internationally on commercial aircraft.  He traveled yearly doing surgical medical missions, from Guatemala to Africa.  Michael dedicated his life to his passion of caring for others.   His large extended family and friendships were a testament of his kindness, caring and giving nature.  He was a loving son, brother, uncle and friend and his death will leave a void in many lives.  He was preceded in death by his father, Charles O. Frye III.

      Survivors include his mother, Peggy Frye of Pocola, OK; brother, Sonny & wife Debbie Frye of Pocola, OK; sister, Debbie and husband Michael Beason of Shreveport, LA; nephews, Scott and wife Tabitha Frye of Muldrow, OK, Chris and wife Gwen Gray of Overbrook, OK; nieces, Amanda and husband Blair Lively of Ft. Smith, AR, Shelley and husband Tim Diehl of McAlester, OK; great nieces, Brooklyn, Madie, Jessie, Cassidy, and Krysta Michelle; other relatives and loved ones; many beloved friends.

      Memorial Services will be 11 am, Friday, July 27, 2012 at Evans Chapel of Memories, Poteau, OK with Rev. Carl Cheshier and Rev. Jim Cook officiating.  Interment will be in Oakland Cemetery, Poteau, OK.

Tom Payne

    Thomas James  “Tom” Payne, 85, of Poteau, OK passed away July 22, 2012 in Fort Smith, AR.  Tom was born May 1, 1927  in  Paris, TX to Grady & Lidia (George) Payne.  He was a veteran of the US Navy and was retired from OG&E.  Tom was preceded in death by his parents and son, Tommy Ray Payne.

     Survivors include his wife, Bonnie of the home; daughters, Linda Williams of Poteau, Susan Salmaran of Ypsilanti, MI, Brenda McDonald of Owasso, OK; son, Bill Newnam of Poteau, OK; Steve Wedding of Tulsa, OK;  8 grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren; other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends

     Services will be 10 am, Thursday, July 26, 2012 at the Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Poteau with Rev. Lee Storm officiating.  Interment will be in Oakland Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be his grandchildren.

 The family will be at the funeral home on Wednesday evening from 5-7 pm to visit with relatives & friends.

Dan H. Pilkington

    Dan Harrell Pilkington, 63, of Jay, OK  (formerly of Poteau)  passed away Saturday, July 14, 2012 in Grove, OK.  Dan was born July 8, 1949, in Poteau, OK to Fred Harrell & Freda (Evans) Pilkington.  Dan was the former owner of APGO Drilling and Production Service.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred Pilkington & Freda Watkins; son, Shon Pilkington, sister, Jan Pilkington Graham.

    Survivors include son, Danny Craig Pilkington & wife, Jeanette of Wister, OK; daughter, Julie Hartman of Ardmore, OK; 7 grandchildren, Gage, Alissa, Aidan, Kaydan, Tristen Pilkington, Alexis and Taylor Hartman;  sister, Linda Johnson & husband, Richard of Jay, OK, brothers,  Steve Pilkington & wife, Kathy of Poteau, OK, Roger Himes & wife, Ruby Ann of Heavener, OK, Terry Himes of Big Cedar, OK; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends.

       Services will be 2 pm, Wednesday, July 18, 2012 at Evans Chapel of Memories, Poteau, OK with Roger Himes officiating.  Interment will follow in Oakland Cemetery, Poteau, OK.

Paul C. Cunningham Jr.

Paul Claybourne Cunningham, 60, of Pocola, OK passed away Friday, July 13, 2012 in Pocola.  Paul was born May 31, 1952 in Ft. Stewart, GA to Paul C. Sr. & Joann (Barnes) Cunningham.  He was a baker. 

      Survivors include his wife, Joan of the home; 3 sons, Cary & Amber Cunningham, Kevin Cunningham, Gabe Cunningham; daughter, Amber White; 9 grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren; 5 sisters, & 1 brother; other relatives & loved ones.

     Memorial Services will be 10 am, Monday, July 16, 2012 at Pocola Memorial Chapel, Pocola, OK with Russell Baker & Jim Cook officiating.

Hollis Leslie Gassaway Jr.

Hollis Leslie Gassaway Jr., 67, of  Fort Smith, AR  passed away Thursday, July 5, 2012 in Fort Smith, AR.  Hollis was born April 12, 1945 in McAlester, OK to Hollis SR and Novella (Phipps) Gassaway. He was a veteran of the US Navy.  Hollis was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Shirley Besoyan.

Survivors include his daughter, Phyllis Ann Gassaway of California; sons, Douglas & Virginia Gassaway of Blum, TX, Treavor Gassaway of Roland, OK; uncles & aunts, Lucian and Sue Gassaway of Monroe, OK, Clinton and Barbara Phipps Gassaway.

Private services will be held at a later time.

Aaron M. Ridenour

Aaron Malachi Ridenour, 78, of Poteau, OK  passed away Thursday, July 12, 2012 in Poteau.  Aaron was born October 8, 1933 in Tucker, OK to Ray & Willie (Maxwell) Ridenour.  He was a golf course superintendent.   Aaron built 5 golf courses.  He was a Master Mason.  He helped build the Masonic Lodge at Cameron.  Aaron was president of the USGS (Turf Grass Assoc.).  He was past manager of Parks and Recreation of the City of Muskogee.  He was a great father & husband.  Aaron was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Kathy Ridenour; grandson, Coy Feagin; great grandson, Ethan Russell Allison; and brother, Bob Ridenour.

Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Betty of the home; son & daughter in law, Dan & Vickie Ridenour of Cameron, OK; daughter & son in law, Brenda & Sterling Nichols of Wagoner, OK; 5 grandchildren, David Bailey, Brandy Bailey, Maron Allison, Katie Ridenour, Katherine Ridenour; 3 great  grandchildren, Ethan, Shelby & Peyton Bailey; 3 sisters & brothers in law, Ruby Cusick of Spiro, OK, Sally & Dillard Collins of Mangum, OK, Betty Jean & Roger Wilcox of Amarillo, TX; brothers & sister in law, Clayton & Kathleen Ridenour of Murry Spur, OK, Bud Ridenour of Ft. Smith, AR; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends.

Memorial services will be 10 am, Saturday, July 14, 2012 at the First United Methodist Church, Poteau, OK with Rev. Phil McGehee officiating. 

Doyle Kenneth "Ken" Moore

 Doyle Kenneth “Ken” Moore, 74, of Sallisaw, Okla., passed away Thursday, July 12, 2012, in Fort Smith, Ark.  Ken was born April 17, 1938, in Spiro, Okla., to Andrew Cleveland and Nancy (Smith) Moore.  He was an upholstery instructor at Northside High School in Ft. Smith, Ark.  He was a veteran of the US Navy.  Ken loved praising the Lord with his harmonica.  Catfishing was a serious business for him.  He loved hunting and fishing the woods and waterways of southeast Oklahoma.  But the great love of his life was his wife of 53 years and the Christian family they created together.  We will all miss him. Ken was preceded in death by his parents; 2 brothers, Vance and Joe Moore; and 3 sisters, Mildred Brown, Vera Hamilton, Viola Johnson.

Survivors include wife, Paulette; sons and daughters in law, Kenneth Paul “Kep” and Beverly Moore of Sallisaw, Okla., Johnny Lee and Elizabeth Nell Moore of Bentonville, Ark.; daughter and son in law, Nancy Ruth and Joe Powers of Poteau, Okla.; 3 grandchildren, Branton Moore, Quinn Moore, Chloe Moore; 2 brothers, O.E. Moore of Panama, Okla., Sam Moore of Poteau, Okla.; nieces, Sherry Jo, Diana, Martha, Theresa and Ann; nephews, Paul, Randy, Joe T., Sam Jr., Larry and Coy; sister in law and husband,  Lola and Jim Sadler; other relatives and loved ones; and many beloved friends.

Services will be 2 p.m., Sunday, July 15, 2012, at New Beginnings Assembly of God, Murry Spur, Okla., with Rev. Kennith Bynum and Rev. Joe Powers.  Interment will be in New Hope Cemetery, Spiro, Okla.  Pallbearers will be Kep Moore, John Moore, Branton Moore, Randy Moore, Joe T. Moore, Paul Brown, and Quinn Moore.

The family will be at the funeral home on Saturday from 6-8 p.m. to visit with relatives and  friends.

David Arnold Russell

David Arnold Russell, 85, of  Beckville, TX  (formerly of Poteau, OK) passed away Friday, July 6, 2012 in Carthage, TX.  David was born June 5, 1927 in St. Regis, NY to Gilbert H. & Blanche (Campbell) Russell.  He was a shipping clerk.  David was a veteran of the US Navy.  He was a 32^nd Degree Mason.  He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mildred; sisters, Viola Russell & Gladys Miles; brother, Sylvester Russell.

Survivors include his daughters, Terry Jean Rhinebolt, Dava Ann Wilburn of Ft. Smith, AR, Donya Alice Russell of Poteau, OK; sons, Thomas Russell of Pottsdam, NY and Dennis Andrew Russell of California; 9 grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren; other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends.

Services will be 10 am, Thursday, July 12, 2012 at Evans Chapel of Memories, Poteau, OK.  Interment will follow in Oakland Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be David Cormany, Manuel Battles, John David Russell, Jimmy Holtzclaw, Jessie Holtzclaw, Chad Higgins.

Ruby Tamplin

Ruby Tamplin, 88, of Poteau, OK passed away July 7, 2012 in Poteau.  Ruby was born April 14, 1924 in Bluffton, AR to Ben   & Nica (Evans) Markham.    She was a homemaker.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Port Tamplin; grandson, Edwin Boyce Liles and granddaughter, Brandy Gail LeForce.

Survivors include her six sons, Clarence Boyd Liles Jr. of Rogers, AR, Boyce Edwin Liles,  Dwane Liles, Randy Liles  all of Heavener, OK, Dennis Liles of San Antonio, TX and Shayne Liles of Poteau; 2 daughters, Evelyn Blackwell of Independence, MO and LuAnn Denboer of Ft. Worth, TX; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren; other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends.

Services will be 2 pm, Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at Evans Chapel of Memories, Poteau, OK with Rev Joe Owen officiating.  Interment will be in Heavener Memorial Park.

Lindall L. Castor

    Lindall Lee Castor, 77, of Poteau, OK passed away Saturday, July 7, 2012 in Poteau.  Lindall was born May 17, 1935 in Weatherby, MO to Lee Kenneth & Julia Bell (Lincoln) Castor.  He was retired from the Kansas City, KS Fire Department where he proudly served for 30 years.  Lindall was a veteran of the US Army.  He and his wife have been residents of Poteau for 3 years.  Lindall had fought lung cancer for a year, and had made progress, but the cancer spread to his brain.  He was preceded in death by his parents.

  Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Sandra Castor of the home; daughters, & sons in law, Cecelia & Johnny Pilgrim of Wister, OK, Melinda & Fred Fisk of Shady Point, OK; adopted son, Douglas Walker of Poteau, OK; 4 granddaughters, Tamara Walker, Sara Engetschwiler, Tara Engetschwiler, Rachel Harris; 5 great grandchildren; other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends.

      There will be a memorial service at a future time.  The family suggests that donations be made to the Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Support House, 3324 S.”M” St., Ft. Smith, AR  72903.

Winford "Spud" Chandler

Winford “Spud” Chandler, 73 of Poteau, OK passed away Saturday, July 7, 2012 in Poteau.  Winford was born September 27, 1938 in Poteau to W.S. and Ethel (Gassaway) Chandler.  Winford was an outstanding athlete, even obtaining a full ride baseball scholarship to Oklahoma State University.  After Graduating OSU, Winford took his first job as a successful baseball and basketball coach for the Ft. Leonard Wood-Waynesville School System.  There he led the Tigers for the next eight years.  In 1966 Spud accepted a coaching position for the Poteau Vikings Junior College ball clubs.  Two years later, Winford returned to Ft. Leonard Wood-Waynesville School  System as the athletic director.  In 1976, Winford accepted a high school principal position in St. James, MO.  In 1978 Spud made the decision to move his family back to Oklahoma and accept the position of high school principal in Wewoka, OK.  In 1981, Winford accepted the superintendent position in Clayton, OK.  Three years later Winford accepted his final position of Asst. Superintendent of Poteau Public Schools, underneath the direction of Dr. Bert Corr, which he held until his retirement in 1994.     He married Carolyn Murfin in 1959 in Cushing, OK.  To that union was added five children.  Winford was preceded in death by his parents; son, Steve Chandler; grandsons, Mikal Morphis and Colton Samuels.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Murfin Chandler of Poteau; Daughters, Kecia Chandler-Johnson and son in law, Bradford Johnson of Poteau; Mia Miller of Poteau; Lydia Brown of Ft. Smith, AR, Natasha Samuels of Poteau; daughter in law, Charlene Smith of Poteau;  mother in law, Lavina Quigg of Poteau; 6 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; other relatives & loved ones ; many beloved friends.

Services will be held 10 am,  Wednesday July 11, 2012 at the Poteau Church of Christ with Bro. Don Cherry  & Bob Marchant officiating.  Burial will follow at Monroe Cemetery, Monroe, OK. 

Pallbearere will be Zach Chandler, Zach Jones, Brad Johnson, Damon Brown, J.D. Cook, & Cody Blaylock.  Honorary pallbearers will be Coy Simpson & Randy Lum.

The family will be at the funeral home on Tuesday evening from 6-8 pm to visit with relatives & friends. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made at Community State Bank where an athletic scholarship fund  for Poteau High School Students has been established in honor of Winford.

Thomas Lamb

Thomas Lewis Lamb, 82, of Shady Point, OK passed away Thursday, July 5, 2012 in Shady Point.  Tom was born April 25, 1930 in Shady Point to Jesse Lee & Freddie Lee (Cain) Lamb.  He was a veteran of the US Army.  He was a retired driver for Greyhound Bus.  Tom was a member of the Masonic Lodge.  Tom was preceded in death by his parents and several brothers and sisters.

Survivors include his sisters, Marjorie of Tulsa and Corene of South Carolina; brother, John of Tulsa; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends.

Services will be 10 am, Monday July 9, 2012 at Evans Chapel  of Memories, Poteau, OK with Rev. Roger Harrison & Rev. Jim Cook.  Interment will be in Shady Point Cemetery, Shady Point, OK.  Pallbearers will be Neil Donathan, Robert James, Tex Williamson, Leon Laymon.

Ola Loretta Couch

Ola Loretta Couch, 90, of Bokoshe, OK passed away Thursday, July 5, 2012 in Bokoshe, OK.  Ola was born April 7, 1922 in Newalla, OK to William A & Nora Jane (Whitlow) Bond.  She was a homemaker. Ola was a member of the Church of Christ in Poteau and Bokoshe.  She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, James; 2 sisters & 2 brothers.

Survivors include her daughters, Pat Irwin of Bokoshe, OK, Cynthia Brody of Poteau, OK; 5 grandchildren, Cathy, Lisa, Connie, Cynde, & James; 12 great grandchildren; 4 great great grandchildren; sister, Marie Lawson of Oklahoma City, OK; other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends.

Services will be 10 am, Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at the Old Bokoshe Cemetery Pavilion, Bokoshe, OK       Interment will follow

The family will be at the funeral home on Sunday afternoon from 2-4 pm to visit with relatives & friends.

Barbara Gillson

    Barbara Gillson, 90, of Ft. Smith, AR (formerly of Poteau, OK) passed away July 4, 2012 in Ft. Smith.  Barbara was born June 4, 1922 in Humiston, Iowa to John & Pearl (Vaught) Scovel,  She was a Hotel-Convention Sales Coordinator in Ft. Worth, TX as well as being a homemaker.  She and husband Walter moved to Poteau in 1977.  Barbara was preceded in death by Walter.  She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Poteau. 

     Survivors include her sons, Bill & Nancy Snow of Ft. Smith, AR, Jim & Shari Snow of Plano, TX; grandchildren, Lindsey & Mike Upshaw of Midlothian, TX, Jordan Snow of Dallas, TX, & Taylor Snow of Plano, TX; sister, Betty Gillson of Ft. Smith, AR; other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends.

 Services will be 2 pm Saturday, July 7, 2012 at Evans Chapel of Memories, Poteau, OK with Rev. Kyle Clark officiating.  Interment will follow in Oakland Cemetery, Poteau, OK.

Jo Tom Howard

Jo Tom Howard, 82, of Pocola, OK passed away Tuesday, July 3, 2012 in Pocola.  Tom was born October 29, 1929 in Pocola, OK to William “W.O.” & Ora (Farrar) Howard.  He was a farmer.  Tom was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Olen “P.A.” Howard & Edgar “Bud” Howard; sisters, Pearl Ann Brown, Beulah Gragg and Helen Howard.

Survivors include his wife, Mozelle of the home; sons & daughters in law, Ken & Linda Howard of Van Buren, AR, Randy & Dauna Howard of Muskogee, OK; daughters & son in law, Vicky & Cliff Wilson of Hackett, AR, Kimberly Howard of Howe, OK;   stepdaughter, Donna Sims & husband, Dick; stepson, James Croy & wife, Mary; 6 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; 4 step grandchildren; 8 step great grandchildren;  2 step great great grandchildren sister, Vella Mae Goodman of Sand Springs, OK; numerous nieces & nephews; other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends.

Services will be 10 am, Friday, July 6, 2012 at Trinity Baptist Church, Pocola, OK, with Rev. Keith Allen & Rev. Paul Walker.  Interment will be in Macedonia Cemetery, Pocola.  Pallbearers will be  Adam Howard, Nicolas Howard, Eric Byrd, Damien West, Mike Barnes & Carl Barnes (grandsons).

Gayle Smedley

    Gayle Smedley, 77, of Poteau, OK passed away Tuesday, July 03, 2012 in Poteau.  Gayle  was born February 22, 1935 in Heavener, OK to Carl & Florence (Anderson) Johnston.  Gayle was a beautician and owner of Bob Smedley Chevrolet-Oldsmobile, Poteau, OK for 40 plus years.   She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Poteau.  Gayle moved to Poteau at an early age.  She graduated from Poteau High School in 1952 and went to Poteau Community College of Business and she graduated in 1953.  She married Bob Smedley  and had son Robert Jr.    She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl & Florence (Anderson) Johnston; husband,  Bob  Smedley and son Robert Jr.

     She is survived by her only sister, Beverly Mazikowski & husband Dennis of Poteau, OK;  special friends, Pam & Clay Bennett; numerous  cousins and relatives; many beloved friends.

    Services will be 10 am, Saturday, July 7, 2012 at the First United Methodist Church, Poteau, OK with Rev. Leroy Billy & Rev. Jim Cook officiating.  Interment will follow in Oakland Cemetery, Poteau.  Pallbearers will be Matt Bennett, Tommy Robertson, Lane Robertson, Nathan Fox, David Akins, & Ron Hamilton.       The family will be at the funeral home on Friday evening from 6-8 pm to visit with relatives & friends.     Contributions may be made to the Gideon’s Int’l  by calling the funeral home or to  the Poteau Valley Humane Society.

Ruby Jane Weideman

Ruby Jane Weideman, 63, of Poteau, OK passed away Monday July 2, 2012 in Fort Smith, AR.  Ruby was born November 9, 1948 in Shattuck, OK to Jay Fred & Ruby (Ellis) Marran.  She was a housewife.  Ruby was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Jay L. & Rodney Marran; granddaughter, Ariel Bozarth.

Survivors include her husband, James Weideman of the home; sister & brother in law, Calvin & Connie ONeal of Andrews, TX; daughter, Cindy McKenzie of Vian, OK; son, David J. Bozarth of Woodward, OK; granddaughter, Sarah McKenzie of Vian, OK; grandsons, Joseph McKenzie of  Vian, OK, Samuel McKenzie of Woodward, OK; other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends. No services are scheduled at this time.

David Earl Griffith Sr.

     David Earl Griffith Sr., 80, passed away Monday, July 2, 2012 in Fort Smith, AR.  David was born August 6, 1931 in Gilmore, OK to William Roy Sr. & Dessie Mae (Brown) Griffith.  He was retired from Whirlpool.   David was preceded in death by his parents; 2 brothers, William Roy Griffith Jr., Lawrence Green.

     Survivors include his sons, David Griffith Jr. of Ft. Smith, AR, Carl & Jeannie Griffith of San Antonio, TX; daughter, Brenda & William Rosewitz of Wellington, KS; 5 grandchildren, Mark Griffith of Norman, OK, Heather & Nathan Delancy, Ben & Bailey Rosewitz, Chase & Adrian Rosewitz, Chelsa Rosewitz all of Kansas; great grandchildren, Kendalynn Rosewitz, Daxter Rosewitz, Lennon Delancy; brother, Charles & Thelma Griffith of Poteau, OK; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends.

      Services will be 10 am Thursday, July 5, 2012 at the Oakland Cemetery Pavilion, Poteau, OK with Rev. Jim Cook officiating.  Interment will follow.