Brian Keith Jackson

Brian Keith Jackson, 48, of Panama, OK passed away Monday, March 28, 2016 in Tulsa, OK.  Brian was born in Salinas, CA to Gary  & Carol (Dickey) Jackson.   He was a forklift operator for Gerber.

Brian is survived by his daughter, Tamra Jackson of Monterey, CA; 3 sons, Allen Jackson of Monterey, CA, Chance Jackson of Ft. Smith, AR, Dillon Jackson of Panama, OK; 2 grandchildren; his mother, Carol Thomason of Poteau, OK; sister, Shawna Morris of Cameron, OK; other relatives, loved ones and friends.

Services will be 3 pm, Saturday, April 2, 2016 at the Panama Elementary Gym, Panama, OK with John Long officiating.  Interment will follow in Oakland Cemetery, Poteau, OK.  Pallbearers will be Ritchie Wansick, Gerrad McClure, Justin Daniels, Kevin Lomon, Colby Hacker, Rusty Johnson, Wayne Currens.

Vagelia "Judy" Walker

Vagelia J. "Judy" Walker, 95, formerly of Heavener, OK was born February 17, 1921 in Reichert, OK to James "Bud" & Hettie Forehand.    Judy grew up helping care for her disabled brother, Cecil and her younger brother, James.  She would often go with her Dad on projects and would spend time with him in the fire tower (US Forest Service).  Judy had a way with animals.  She had pets all her life, including some that we would consider wild.  Her current pet is a cat named Ginger.  She had a wild mocking bird in Tulsa that she had trained to eat p-nut butter out of her hand.  She also fed chipmunks that would get in her lap to be fed.  During her school years she would ride a horse on Sunday to Peter Conser's house where she boarded during the week in order to catch the school bus.  She'd ride back home on Friday night. 

          Judy played guard on the Heavener Varsity Girl's Basketball team & went to the state championship.  She graduated at age 16; attended cosmetology school and opened her own business at age 17.   She & Edward Walker attended Heavener HS together and were married March 17, 1942.  They were married for 64 years.

          Vagelia (Judy) & Edward moved to San Diego, CA at the beginning of WWII.  They both worked  in the defense industry building B24 bombers and PBYs.  They would entertain the soldiers that were from Heavener, before they were shipped out to the Pacific.  In many cases it would be their last home-cooked meal.  After the war, they had a son, Larry Walker, born in 1947.  They stayed in California until 1953 and then moved to Tulsa, OK.  Vagelia & Ed spent 57 years in Tulsa.  They were members of First Baptist Church, Tulsa; were very active in the Masonic organization and the Eastern Star - having had over 60 years of service in many positions.

        Both Vagelia & Edward were active in the Red Cross Disaster Recovery group.  After Edward's retirement, they spent time traveling throughout the US.  Vagelia always was very committed to her family & friends.  They enjoyed getting to know their new daughter in law, Sheryl.  They treated her as the daughter they never had.  She and Ed enjoyed their grandchildren, Beth & Doug.  Every summer the  grandkids got a full week of spoiling alone with their grandparents.  In her later years she got to know and enjoy her new granddaughter in law, Jill Walker, and great granddaughters, Avery & Addison Walker.  They called her GG, Great Grandma. 

  Vagelia's relationships with several long-time neighbors were very important to her.  After Edward's death in 2006, Vagelia lived  in Tulsa until 2010 when she moved to Missouri to be closer with her immediate family.

  She is survived by her son & daughter in law, Larry & Sheryl Walker; granddaughter, Elizabeth "Beth" Walker; grandson, Douglas "Doug" Walker & wife Jill;  great granddaughters, Avery & Addison Walker.

Services will be 10 am Friday, April 1, 2016 graveside at Heavener Memorial Park, Heavener, OK.

Anita Carlotta Bettarini Swarts

Anita Carlotta Bettarini Swarts, 78, was born December 14, 1937 to Tosca & Alfredo Bettarini, in Livorno, Italy.   She went home to be with Jesus on Tuesday, March 29, 2016 at the age of  78 years, 3 months & 15 days.  She was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, Joseph Eugene Swarts.  Anita loved her Lord and Savior and was a great witness for Him.  She was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother.  She was a great Italian cook, and loved to write recipes.  She loved to collect anything that caught her attention.  She was a great friend and was good to everyone she me.  Anita will be remembered by much of her community and friends for her thoughtfulness at Christmas with the special baked goods and beautifully decorated home made cookies.  She was always doing anything she could for others.  She truly had a servant's heart.  Anita will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her.

Anita is survived by her children, Robert Eugene Swarts of Austin, TX, Sonia Marie Crouch & husband Danny, Carlo Thomas Swarts & wife Amy, Gino Anthony Swarts & wife Jamie, Richard Paul Swarts & wife Tiffany all of Howe, OK; 17 grandchildren, Brook Bettarini, Rachel & husband Terry Snodgrass, Erin & husband Travis Roberts, Annette & husband Alex Fairchild, Ashley & husband Collin Hutchinson, Daniel Crouch, David "Casey" Crouch & wife Farron, Rebecca Black & husband James, Lacey Burton, Kimberly, Austin, Sarah & Joseph Swarts, Kennedy Lewis, Wyatt, Richard "Kyle" & Kristen Swarts;  17 great grandchildren; a host of family and friends.

Services will be 2 pm, Friday, April 1, 2016 at Evans Chapel of Memories, Poteau with Rev. Jim Cook officiating.  Interment will follow in Monroe Cemetery, Monroe.  Pallbearers will be Daniel Crouch, David "Casey" Crouch, Elisha Jacob Crouch, Richard "Kyle" Swarts, Austin Swarts, Joseph Swarts, Wyatt Swarts, Danny Gray.

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

Garry Wayne Davidson

Garry Wayne Davidson, 71, of Poteau, OK passed away Monday, March 28, 2016  in  Ft. Smith, AR.  Garry was born June 19, 1944 in Poteau to Joseph Earl & Ruby Marie (Coggins) Davidson.  He was self-employed having an upholstery shop for some 30 years.   He and Shellia (Qualls) were married on April 27, 1963.

Survivors include his wife, Shellia of the home; daughter & son in law, Cynthia Renae Davidson Mize & husband Kenneth Wesley;  grandsons,  Kenny Wayne Mize, Kyler Wesley Neil Mize all of Hennessey, OK; sisters, & brothers in law, Helen & Olan Winham of Lawton, OK, Grova Nell and Bob Pendergraff of  Dewey, OK,  Betty & Larry Steelman of Reichert, OK, Cathy & Rick Rainwater of Poteau, Pat & Tom Harris of Monroe, OK ; brothers & sisters in law, Joe Davidson and Ruth of Shady Point, OK, John & Josie Davidson of Poteau, Mike & Kim Davidson of Keota; best friend, Stuart Sells of Monroe; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, loved ones and friends.

Services will be 10 am, Saturday, April 2, 2016 at Evans Chapel of Memories, Poteau, OK with Randall Newby officiating.  Interment will follow in Shady Point Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be Kenny Wayne, Kyler Wesley & Kenneth Mize, Stuart Sells, Jeff & Brandon Moore.

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

Thomas Lum

Thomas Verle Lum, 85, of Poteau, OK passed away Friday, March 25, 2016 in Ft. Smith, AR.  Thomas was born May 30, 1930 in Oklahoma City, OK to Verle L. & Linnie Mae (Vaughan) Lum.  Thomas was a veteran of the US Army.  He was a retired principal & teacher.   Thomas was a member of the Poteau Church of Christ where he served as an elder, deacon and song leader for many years.

Survivors include his wife, Nora Faye of the home; sons & daughters in law, Randal & Mia Lum, Ronald & Sandra Lum all of Poteau, OK, Michael & Lori Lum of  Weatherford, TX; 8 grandchildren, Miranda, Jeffrey, Jerod, Justin, Cody, Jonathan, Kyler, Jason; 6 great grandchildren; other relatives, loved ones and friends.

Services will be 2 pm, Monday, March 28, 2016 at the Poteau Church of Christ with Donald Cherry & Michael Lum officiating.  Interment will follow in Oakland Cemetery, Poteau, OK.  Pallbearers will be Jeffrey, Jerod, Justin, Cody, Jonathan, Kyler & Jason Lum, & Andrew Jenson.

In Lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to "In Search of the Lord's Way" a Church of Christ Program that was near and dear to Thomas' heart.  PO Box 371, Edmond, OK  73083 (800-321-8633); or online at www.searchtv.org.