Pat Tackett

 Pat Tackett, 78, of  Bokoshe, OK passed away Sunday, February 24, 2013 in Ft. Smith, AR.  Pat was born September 12, 1934 in Poteau, OK to John W. & Elsie R. (Deathrow) Kilgore.  She was a school teacher for 39 years.   Pat was a member of Alpha Beta Kappa and the Eastern Star.  She was Business Woman of the Year & Who’s Who of America, Past LeFlore County OEA President.  Pat was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Clifford Tackett; sons, Randy & Steven; sisters, Joann Kilgore, Arlene Wynn, Lillie Mae Baker, & Baby Kilgore; brothers, Kenneth, Aubrey, Gene, James “Steve” & Jerry Kilgore.

Survivors include her daughters & sons in law, Vickey & Joseph Damato of Spiro, OK, Lea Ann Lowry of Bokoshe, OK, Sharon & Jim Steen of Ocala, FL; son & daughter in law, Paul Tackett & Lisa Woodral of Bokoshe, OK;  grandchildren, Daniel & Rhonda Damato of Spiro, OK, Chris Tackett of Bokoshe, OK, Jason & Jody Tackett of Heavener, OK, Jake Tackett of Bokoshe, OK, Brandie Fenelon  of Barling, AR, Chris Fenelon of Ft. Smith, AR, Lacey & Jesse Mattox of Howe, OK, Will & Lacey Mills of Heavener, OK, Chad Cooper & Brook of Spiro, OK, Shawn & Dara Hogan of Spiro, OK and children, Lilly, Kalie, Cash, Shawn Jr. & Kalie; 4 great grandchildren, Gina Damato, Nicola Damato, Rumor Tackett, & Langston Tackett, Gracie Mattox, Brinley Mills; aunt, Verlon Stockton of Sapulpa, OK;  sisters, Virginia Harrison of Panama, OK,  Linda & Gary Vest of Cameron, OK; brothers, John & Margaret Kilgore of Blythe, CA, Leland & Brenda Kilgore of Sulphur Springs, OK, Ted & Jane Kilgore of Poteau, OK; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins,  many beloved friends.

     Services will be 10 am Friday, March 1, 2013 at Evans Chapel of Memories, Poteau, OK with Rev. Jim Cook, Rev. Leroy Orr, & Rev. Brian Smith.  Interment will be in Old Bokoshe Cemetery, Bokoshe, OK.  Pallbearers will be Will Thompson, Fred Wegert, Jordan Rogers, Chad Cooper, Nick Zimmerman, Randall Foster, Charles Burton & Gerald McRay.  Honorary pallbearers will be Lonnie McRay, Steve Tackett, Tony Smith, and Larry Martin.

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

Eleana Marie Ellen Martinez

Eleana Marie Ellen Martinez, infant daughter of Sarah Mae Lynn Engles and Angel Martinez, was received into the arms of God on the day she was born, February 11, 2013.  She was born in Talihina, OK.  She was preceded in death  by her Grandma, Kathy Ellen Engles; maternal great great gran-gran, Lorene Mabry.  What a blessing to have felt this child’s presence in our lives.  She will forever be a part of our memory.

She is survived by her parents, Sarah & Angel; her Great Granny, Judy Foster of Oilton, OK; Grandpa, Steve Engles; Special Aunt, Lorena Marie Engles; and Great Aunt, Hazel Mabry;  other relatives & loved ones.

Services were 2 pm, Saturday, February 16, 2013 in Evans Chapel of Memories, Poteau, OK, with Rev. Jim Cook & Father Valentine officiating.   Interment followed in Vaughn Cemetery, Gilmore, OK.  Pallbearers were Pedro Manuel Salgado & Anastasio Solis.

Patricia Ann Hart

  Patricia Ann Hart, 63, of Warner, OK passed away Friday, February 15, 2013 in Muskogee, OK.  Patricia was born April 6, 1949 in Boston, MA to Williams & Dorothy (Carlo) McCluskey.  She was a registered nurse.

She was preceded in death by 4 brothers, Bobby McCluskey, George, Russel & Andrew Rounbehler.

Survivors include her daughter, Tina Hart of Poteau; sons, Jim of Arizona, Keith of Texas, & David of Tulsa, OK; grandchildren, Jennifer, DeAndre, Hailey, Jason, Robbie, Cameron, Reigha, Natalee, Elijah, Addison & Caleb; great grandchildren, Tyler, Zoe, Gabriel.The father of her children, Jim Hart of Poteau, OK;  many family members in Boston; several great grandchildren; one brother, Billy McCluskey of Massachusetts; other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends.

Memorial services were 4 pm, Monday, February 18, 2013 at Evans Chapel of Memories, Poteau, OK with Rev. Phil McGehee officiating.

Jerry Don Driver

Jerry Don Driver, 66, of  Poteau, OK passed away Thursday, February 21, 2013 in Poteau.  Jerry was born August 5, 1946 in Hackett, AR to Albert & Ida (Higginbotham) Driver.  He was a veteran of the US Marines.  Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; brother Charles Driver and one sister.

Survivors include his daughter, Sherry & Patrick Hamilton of Arkoma, OK; son, Bobby & Heather Driver of Poteau, OK; 8 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; brothers, Gene Driver of Van Buren, AR, Jim Driver of Kansas City, MO; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives & loved ones; many beloved  friends.

Graveside services will be held 2 pm, Monday, February 25, 2013 at Ft. Smith National Cemetery, Ft. Smith, AR. 

Sherman P. Floyd

Sherman Phillip Floyd, 88, of Poteau, OK passed away Friday, February 22, 2013 in Poteau.  Sherman was born March 9, 1924 in Tahona, OK to King Philip & Bessie B. (Morrison) Floyd.  He was a veteran of the US Army Air Corp with whom he served in WWII.  He was a retired teacher.  Sherman was a member of the First Baptist Church in Poteau.  He was preceded in death by his parents, K.P. & Bessie; daughter, Toni Thompson; 2 sisters, Earlene Sallis of OKC and Bea Blankenship of Spiro; brother, Ray Floyd.  Sherman started coaching in 1949 and was Poteau High School Principal from 1972-1986 when he retired.

Survivors include his wife Linda F. Floyd of the home; sons, John Phillip Floyd & Robert “Bob” Mitchell Floyd of  Poteau, OK; grandsons, Scott Thompson & Michael Thompson of Edmond, OK; son in law, Mick Thompson of Edmond, OK; brothers, K.P. Floyd of Gallatin, TN, Curt Floyd of Dallas, TX; adopted son, Phil McGehee of Poteau, OK. 

Services will be 2 pm, Monday, February 25, 2013 at the Reynolds Center, Poteau, OK with Rev. Phil McGehee, Rev. Rex Blankenship, & Rev. Clayton Griggs officiating.  Interment will be in Oakland Cemetery, Poteau, OK.  Pallbearers will be his Nephews.

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

Shirley Beam

   Shirley Beam, 71, of Bokoshe, OK passed away Thursday, February 21, 2013 in Bokoshe. Shirley was born January 10, 1942 in Silverton, OR to Gerald & Helen (Hale) Wright.   She was retired from Oklahomer Smith Furniture.  She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Charles David Beam, and granddaughter, Telisha Beam.

    Survivors include her daughters, Connie Hilton & husband, Lee of Bokoshe, Tammy Beam & fiancé David Needham of the home, Wendy Darneal & husband Ron of Bokoshe, OK; sons, Daniel Beam & wife, Tonia , David Beam & wife, Marcela all of Bokoshe, Gary Beam & wife Sarah of Cushing, OK; 22 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren; brothers, Rodger Wright & wife Patty of Stanfield, OR, Larry Wright of Woodburn, OK;  sister, Faye Nistler & husband Joe of Woodburn, OK; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends.

 Services will be 2 pm, Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at Evans Chapel of Memories, Poteau, OK with Rev. Steve Adams officiating.  Burial will follow in Beam Family Cemetery, Bokoshe, OK.  Pallbearers will be Bobby Emerson, James Moss, Keith Beam, Mike Beam, Landon Beam, Jeff Lovell.  Honorary pallbearers will be grandsons, Mickey Haslapp and Johnny Bowman.

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

CALVIN HOPCRAFT

Calvin Phillip Hopcraft, 88, of Poteau, OK passed away Tuesday, February 12, 2103 in  Ft. Smith, AR.  Calvin was born November 1, 1924 in Mansfield, MA to Walter & Gertrude (Warner) Hopcraft  He was a petroleum engineer.  Calvin was a veteran of the US Navy.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Patsy Hopcraft; son, Barton Hopcraft; 5 brothers & 3 sisters.   Calvin was very involved with the ‘sack-lunch’ program at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Fort Smith. The program was very near and dear to his heart.

Survivors include his son & daughter in law, Calvin II & Cory Hopcraft of Jenks, OK; daughter, Lori Lea Hopcraft of Poteau, OK; 4 grandchildren, Taylor Katherine, Erin Bryce, Colin & Kyle; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends.

 Memorial services will be  11 am, Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Fort Smith, AR.

 Memorials may be made to the Episcopal Church, St. John’s Sack Lunch Program, 215 N. 6^th St. Fort Smith, AR. 72901  

DR. RICHARD KENT ALEXANDER

Dr. Richard “Kent” Alexander, 78, of Ft. Smith, AR (formerly of Poteau, OK) passed away Saturday, February 16, 2013 in Ft. Smith.  Kent was born March 28, 1934 in Muskogee, OK to Russell  & Ruby (Taylor) Alexander.  He served as a family practice physician in Poteau from 1961 to 1974. He is retired from emergency medicine after 25 years of service at Sparks Regional Medical Center in Ft. Smith.  He also served as Coroner for LeFlore County and was a member of the First Christian Church of Poteau.  Kent’s hobbies included a love of star gazing, astronomy, fishing and classical music.  He is preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Betty Dean Sullivan.

Survivors include his wife of 26 years, Tommye of Fort Smith; two brothers & sisters in law, James & Billie Alexander of Melbourne, FL, Robert & Peggy Alexander of Desert Hot Springs, CA; two sons, Wynn & wife Mary Alexander of Wilmington, OH, David & wife Kaye Alexander of Poteau, OK; daughter, Marybeth and husband Keith Patterson of Siloam Springs, AR; three stepsons Kristian, Bill & Jason(wife Christie) Priakos, all of Dallas, TX; ten grandchildren, Taylor & Joseph Alexander, Shelah & Millie Cooper, Kacey & husband Josh Cousins, Blake Alexander, William & Ainsley Priakos, Mallor & Nicholas Priakos.

A memorial service will be held a 2 pm, Wednesday, February 20, 2013 at Evans Memorial Chapel, 301 S. Pocola Blvd., Pocola, OK.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Sebastian County Humane Society, Ft. Smith, AR, Poteau Valley Humane Society, Poteau, OK or the First Christian Church, Poteau, OK.

Betty Gowan

Betty J. Gowan, 87, of Poteau, OK passed away Friday, February 15, 2013 in Poteau.  Betty was born April 24, 1925 in Missouri to Burt W. & Vera (Perry) Tyler.  She worked in the cafeteria at Poteau Middle School.  She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Don Gowan; brothers, Carl & Charles; sisters, Wanda Clayton & Jan Degraff.

Survivors include her son & daughter in law, Johnny “Skip” & Shirley Sweet of Colorado Springs, CO; granddaughter, Cheryl Sweet Davis of Tulsa, OK; 2 great grandchildren, Joshua Davis and Megan Davis; 5 sisters, Reba Harrison  of Poteau, OK, Helen Farmer of Little Rock, AR, Dell Gray and Rowe Schelb of Sand Springs, OK, Sue Whiteley of Fayetteville, AR; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends.

Services will be 11 am Wednesday, February 20, 2013 at the Oakland Cemetery Pavilion.  Interment will follow. 

Larry Goodnight

Larry Dale Goodnight, 54, of Poteau, OK passed away Wednesday, February 13, 2013 in Poteau, OK.  Larry was born in Oklahoma City, OK on January 22, 1959 to Marshall & Clarice (Dorey) Goodnight.  He was a licensed electrician; in heat/air.  He was preceded in death by his father, and daughter in law, Karlee Goodnight.

Survivors, include his son, Brian Goodnight of Watonga, OK. Daughters & son in law, Mika Goodnight of Norman, OK, Coral & Shawn Potts of Rogue River, OR; grandchildren, Aiden Goodnight, Paige & Paisley Potts; mother, Clarice Goodnight of Poteau, OK; brother & sister in law, Jerry & Barbara Goodnight of Cleveland, OK; sister, Sherry Edon of Edmond, OK; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends.

Services will be 10 am, Friday, February 22, 2013 at  Evans Chapel of Memories, Poteau, OK with Rev. Harold McKeehen officiating.  Burial will follow.

 Any food items should be brought to 303 Wapiti rather than Clarice’s home.  Thank you.

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

Lee Ben Foster

Lee Ben Foster, 81, of Poteau, OK passed away Friday, February 15, 2013 in Poteau.  Lee was born June 2, 1931 in Poteau to Siegel E. & Reola E. (Webb) Foster.  He was a 1949 graduate of Poteau High School.  He retired in 1977 as a Master Sgt. with the US Air Force, after 26 years of service.  He also retired from the U.S. Forestry Department on October 1, 1993.  He was past president of the Fair Board and was a member of the LeFlore County Cattleman’s Association. 

Survivors include his wife, Margaret “Marge” of the home; daughter, Micky S. Foster of Poteau, OK; 2 sons & daughters in law Donald L.  & Sherri D. Foster  of Wichita, KS, Ronald G. & Juanita F. Foster of Sapulpa, OK; 5 Grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; 1 brother in law, Floyd W. Schmid of Farwell, MI; sister in law, Helen Schmid of Mountain Grove, MO; other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends.

Services will be 1 pm, Monday, February 18, 2013 at Evans Chapel of Memories, Poteau, OK with Rev. Jim Cook officiating.  Interment will follow in Vaughn Cemetery, Gilmore, OK.  Pallbearers will be  Marc Willis, Danny Wann, Chris Foster, Chris Fenton, Kevin Fenton, Johnny Baker.  Honorary pallbearers will be Braden Foster, Wyatt Foster, Bill Willis, Bob Carter, Dustin Foster, Benjamin Foster.

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

In Lieu of flowers request the family requests that donations be made to the Military Dog Program. 

Curtis "Sonny" Solomon Jr.

   Curtis “Sonny” Solomon Jr., 73, of Spiro, OK passed from this world Tuesday, February 12, 2013 in Spiro.  Sonny was born March 3, 1939 in Hilltown, OK to Curtis & Clara Rose Walker Solomon.  He was a maintenance/mechanic at Southern Steel & Wire.  He was preceded in death by his parents; 3 sons, Richard, Jimmy Ray and Teddy Wayne Solomon; and one brother, E.J. Solomon.

     Survivors include his granddaughter, Ashley Solomon of Panama, OK; daughter, Amy Williamson of Poteau, OK; 5 grandsons; 1 great grandson; brother & sister in law, Joe & Linda Solomon of Spiro, OK; 4 sisters, Edna & Grady Aary of Spiro, OK, Dortha & Robert James of Cameron, OK, Mildred “Tookey” Davis of Park Hill, OK, Thelma “Lou” Jordan of Spiro, OK; other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends.

     Services will be 10 am, Friday, February 15, 2013 at Evans Chapel of Memories, Poteau, OK with Rev. Jim Cook officiating.  Interment will follow in Fairhill/Knothole Cemetery, Cameron, OK.  Pallbearers will be Frankie Joe Solomon, Frankie Joe Solomon Jr., Greg Graham, Curtley Joe Solomon, Brian James Scamardo Jr., and Corley Bigler.

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

James Pirtle

 James Pirtle, 83, of Poteau, OK passed away Sunday, February 10, 2013 in Poteau.  James was born August 11, 1929  in Texas to James Isaac & Ethel (Chasin) Pirtle.  He worked for the KCS Railroad.

James is survived by a host of family and friends.

Services will be 2 pm Friday, February 15, 2013 at Evans Chapel of Memories, Poteau with Rev. Jim Cook officiating.  Interment will follow in Reed Family Cemetery, Monroe, OK.

Roy Weston

   Roy Herbert Weston, 88, of Poteau, OK passed away Tuesday, February 12, 2013 in Ft. Smith, AR.  Roy was born September 21, 1924 in Dewey, OK to Enoch Anderson & Omah Gertrude (Meador) Weston.  He was a veteran of WWII having served in the US Navy.  Roy was a contractor.  He was a member of the First Christian Church in Poteau.  He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, June.

    Survivors include his daughters & sons in law, Kathy & Joe Sanford of Lake Jackson, TX, Jan & Stan Stone of  Poteau, OK; 4 grandchildren, Kimberly & Roger Brooks, Kerri & Todd Henderson, David Sanford, Kristin & Kyle Been; 3 great grandchildren, Seth Henderson, Trenton Henderson, Bentley Been; 2 sisters, Wilma Workman  and Marilyn Ramey of Dewey, OK; other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends.

     Services will be 4 pm, Friday, February 15, 2013 at the First Christian Church, Poteau, OK with Rev. Tracy Ellis officiating.  A second service will be held at First Christian Church, Dewey, OK at 2 pm Saturday, Feb. 16 with his nephew, George Earl Weston officiating. Interment will be Dewey Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be Joe Sanford, David Sanford, Roger Brooks, Todd Henderson, Kyle Been,  Mike Hargrove.

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

Helen Davenport

Helen Francis Davenport, 67, of Pocola, OK passed away Monday, February 11, 2013  in Fort Smith, AR.  Helen was born October 31, 1945 in Ft. Smith to Raymond & Cora (Freeman) Albertson.   She was a factory worker.  Helen was of the Assembly of God faith.  She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jerry Davenport; son, Jerry Jr.; brother, J.R. Albertson.  She loved the outdoors, camping, fishing.  She loved her grand and great grandchildren.

Survivors include her daughters, Tammy Fox and Hope Bodiford of Pocola, OK; sons, Frank Jackson and Anthony Davenport of Ft. Smith, AR; 9 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren: sisters & husbands, Mary & Hastin Boykin of Soper, OK, Betty Risley of Pocola, OK, Beverly & Dennis Wagner of Charleston, AR, Gail & Allen Kannady of Pocola, OK; brother & wife, David & Reba Albertson of Pocola, OK; other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends.

Memorial services will be 11 am, Saturday February 16, 2013   at Christian Grove Free Will Baptist Church. Pocola, OK

Bobby Joe Pierce

 Bobby Joe Pierce Sr., 69, of Panama, OK passed away Saturday, February  9, 2013 in Poteau, OK.  Bobby Joe was born January 5, 1944 in Phoenix, AZ to Harrison Joseph & Vernie (Tucker) Pierce.  He was retired from Whirlpool.  He was preceded in death by his father; wife, Ollie Pierce, sister, Shirley Moore, and brother, Leland Pierce.

Survivors include his daughter & son in law, Bertha & Johnny Fout of Shady Point, OK; son, Bobby Joe Pierce Jr. of Greenwood, AR; mother, Vernie Pierce of Panama, OK; grandsons, Joey & Trevor Fout of Shady Point, OK; sisters, Rosie Brady, Patricia Trout, and Coralene Crabtree of Panama, OK; brother, Richard Pierce of Poteau, OK; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends.

Services will be 11 am, Thursday, February 14, 2013 at Evans Chapel of Memories, Poteau, OK with Rev. Jim Cook officiating.  Interment will follow in Steep Hill Cemetery, Fort Smith, AR.    Pallbearers will be Joey and Trevor Fout.

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

Jim Bob Abernathy

 Jim Bob Abernathy, 73, of Bokoshe, OK passed away Saturday, February 09, 2013 in Bokoshe.  Jim Bob was born  March 13, 1939  to JB & Daisy (Bryant) Abernathy.  

 Survivors include his wife, Janice of the home; daughter & son in law, Trina & Rick Ward of Cameron, OK; son & daughter in law, Jimmy & Celia Abernathy of Bokoshe, OK, son in law, Mike Bell of Bokoshe, OK.

  Services will be 10 am, Tuesday, February 12, 2013 at New Life Center in Panama, OK.  Interment will follow in Old Bokoshe Cemetery, Bokoshe, OK. 

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

A more complete obit will follow later. Thank you

Marcella Waymire

Marcella Waymire, 84, of Poteau, OK passed away Saturday, February 9, 2013 in Poteau, OK.  Marcella was born July 29, 1928 in Howe, OK to William V. & Sarah Lula (Dodd) Ritter.  She was an LPN.  She was a nurse at EOMC for 20+ years and retired to care for her disabled husband.  She was an avid bird breeder.  She never met a stranger. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ewing Waymire Sr.; siblings, William Z. Ritter, Raymond Ritter, Frank Ritter, Baby Sister Ritter, Sovola (Ritter) Wise, Viola Ritter, Bill Ritter, Faye (Ritter) Humphries, Willard Ritter, Cleo Ritter; son in law, John DeLude; daughter in law, Susie Waymire. 

Survivors include her daughter, Derotha DeLude of Poteau, OK; son, Ewing Waymire Jr. of Poteau, OK; grandchildren, Christy & Jon Hamlin, Terre & Chad Braun of Poteau, OK; great grandchildren, Cede & Joe Cantu, Katy Braun, Joshua Hamlin, Caleb Hamlin; sister, Jeannie (Ritter)  & Truman Hill of Howe, OK; numerous nieces, nephews; 2 sisters in law, Paula Ritter of Cameron, OK, Mary Ritter of Bentonville, AR; her dog, Peanut.

Services will be 2 pm, Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at the First Baptist Church in Poteau, OK with Rev. Clayton Griggs officiating.  Interment will be in Oakland Cemetery, Poteau.  Pallbearers will be Brad Hill, Bentley Hill, Roger Waymire, Rodney Waymire, Justin Jackson, Weylin Groom.

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

Margaret Sheriff

       Margaret Ann Sheriff, 72, of Cameron, OK passed away Wednesday, February 6, 2013 in Cameron.  Margaret was born March 31, 1940 in Poteau, OK to Samuel M. & Winnie (Allen) Bretz.  She was a ward clerk at EOMC.  She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Sammy  and Burley Bretz; and sister, Dorothy Bretz.

      Survivors include her daughters, Pam & John Richter of PA, Audra Tallant of Poteau, OK; Sons, Derek Schell of TX, Anthony Nelson of Cameron, OK; 4 grandchildren, James  McCarroll & Crystal Beer, Elizabeth Pace, Patrick Shelton & Heidi Miller, Melissa Shelton; 4 great grandchildren, Bryson Pace, Xavier Pace, Zebulin Schockman, Landon McCarroll; brother, Pete Franklin Bretz of Panama, OK; sister, Barbara Sinks of TX; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Services will be 10 am, Saturday, February 9, 2013 at Evans Chapel of Memories, Poteau, OK with Rev. Jim Cook officiating. 

TERRY LEE

Terry Don Lee, 54, of Wister, OK passed away Thursday, February 7, 2013 in Ft. Smith, AR.  Terry was born June 3, 1958 in Snyder, TX to Don Howard & Judy Lee (Angel) Lee.  He was a Baptist.  Terry was preceded in death by his father.

Survivors include his mother, Judy Lee of Wister; brothers, Tony Lee & Tim Lee of Poteau, OK; sisters, Tracy Berry & Teresa Morris of  Wister, OK; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends; and his 2^nd family – the staff at the Oaks Healthcare Center.

Services will be 2 pm, Monday, February 11, 2013 at Evans Chapel of Memories in Poteau, OK with Rev. Jim Cook & Rev. Stephen Billy officiating.  Interment will be in Ellis Chapel Cemetery, Wister, OK.  Pallbearers will be Bill Cripps, Stephen Young, Tim Young, Jake Lee, Chris Lee, Bud Morgan.

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

Donald J. "Diamond Don" Barnes

 Donald J. “Diamond Don” Barnes, 71, of Poteau, OK went to be with the Lord Monday, February 4, 2013 in Poteau.  Don was born June 6, 1941 in Cameron, OK to Oscar J ”Dick”  & Retha Marie (Gipson) Barnes.  He was preceded in death by his parents; brother OD Barnes; sister, Dorma Lee Gullick; step-dad J.C. McCann; father in law, Grady Williams and mother in law, Mildred Fudge.  Don was a Vietnam veteran of the US Naval Security Group; member of Disabled American Veterans Chapter 63, American Legion Chapter 210 and former member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, chairman of the LeFlore County Veterans Memorial Assoc, former Lions Club member, member Poteau Masonic Lodge #46. belonged to the Amateur Radio Relay League as an Amateur (Ham) radio operator (N5LXF), served as Mayor of Poteau (1991-1995). was  local area radio announcer during the 1970’s and 1980’s where he got the radio name of  “Diamond Don”.

Don leaves behind his wife of 38 years, Vickie Lynn Barnes; son, B.J. & wife Tarron; daughter Candice & husband Keith; sons Shane, Jay & Todd Barnes; 12 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren; sisters Shirley (Dennis) Koeninger of Poteau, OK, Diann Adkins and husband Jim of Broken Arrow, Jenna Huggins and husband A.L. of Caddo; other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends.

Services will be 2 pm, Friday, February 8, 2013 at the Reynolds Center, Poteau with Rev. Jim Cook, Rev. LeRoy Billy & Rev. Lynn Bullard officiating.   Pallbearers will be LeFlore County Disabled American Veterans Chapter #63. Interment will follow in Oakland Cemetery, Poteau, OK.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the DAV Chapter #63 building fund at Community State Bank or to the Gideon’s.  

Kenneth Gaither

    Kenneth Ray Gaither, 78, of Poteau, OK passed away February 1, 2013 in Fort Smith, AR.   Kenneth was born March 1, 1934 in Columbia, MO to Clifford & Bonnie Gaither. Kenneth was a Petroleum Jobber. He raised cattle & loved to read. He loved coal mining, his family did strip and deep mining. Kenneth leased and sold mineral rights & leasing. He owned and operated Poteau Petroleum for 50 years. Kenneth was a graduate of Poteau High School class of 1952. He was a member of Community Christ Church. He loved thoroughbred horse racing.  He was preceded in death by his parents Clifford Gaither & Bonnie (White) Gaither, 2 sons Joe Gaither, Glen Gaither. 1 brother.

      Survivors include wife of 60 years Robbie Gaither, Granddaughter, Gabrielle Robbins of the home, Daughter Karen Robbins of  Muskogee, OK, Grandson Zaven Isa of Oklahoma City, OK. Great Granddaughter Zalie Isa of Muldrow, OK. hand full of Nieces & Nephews.  Sister in Law Ruth Jenkins of Ft. Worth, TX.; Special Friends Jeff & Debbie Luman.

       Services will be 2PM - Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at Evans Chapel of Memories with Rev. Jim Cook & Rev. Phil McGehee officiating. Pallbearers will be Jeff Luman, Zaven Isa, Hank Harris, Ben Phillips, Nick Wade, Brian Hooper.  Interment will be a Private family service in Oakland Cemetery in Poteau, OK