Debbie Johnson-Bennett

Deborah Gayle Johnson-Bennett, daughter of the late Basil and Pauline Wise, and wife of Larry Bennett, was born October 30, 1947 in Long Beach, California.  She graduated Poteau High School in 1965, then attended Northeastern State University in Tahlequah.  She was a successful and prudent business woman, serving in the community for almost 50 years.  Her life’s mission was to love her Lord, and to serve others.

Debbie professed her faith in Jesus Christ when she was a teenager, and was a charter member at Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Poteau and active there her entire adult life.  She passed on from this life on Monday, February 25, 2019.  She was preceded in death by her parents, as well as her brother Charles Wise.

Her first love was her Savior, Jesus Christ.  And she cherished her children Jeffrey and Jamie Johnson, her granddaughter Sierra Johnson, and her loving husband Larry Bennett.

 Debbie’s beautiful life will forever be cherished in the lives of her devoted husband Larry of the home in Poteau; her son Jeffrey, daughter-in-law Andrea, and granddaughter Sierra of Norman; her son Jamie and daughter-in-law Jonna of Heavener; sister-in-law Janis Wise of Fairfax, Virginia; nephews Adam Wise of Fairfax, Virginia and Peter Wise of Beaverton, Oregon; loving step daughters Jackie and Jennifer and  step son Joe; and cousins Maytha Reather of Ft. Smith, Joann Hays of Ft. Smith and Linda Bewley of Russellville, Arkansas who were more like sisters to her.  Other family members who will miss her include many other loving cousins, nieces, nephews, step grandchildren, and step great grandchildren.  And many more friends and neighbors whom she treated like family. Everyone knew and loved Debbie, and everyone will miss her greatly.

            Services will be 10 am, Friday, March 1, 2019 at Cross Community Church, Poteau OK with Phil McGehee officiating. Interment will be at Mt. View Cemetery, Hackett, AR.  Pallbearers will be Adam Wise, Peter Wise, Codey Austin, Eddie Dime, Keith Hays, Tim Johns & Fred Hardesty. Honorary pallbearers will be Mike Sullivan, Don Sullivan, Jerry Sullivan, Tim Wise, Ed Wise, Carl Brown, Dewayne Gregory & Lyndell Gregory.

            The family will be at the funeral home on Thursday evening from 6-8 pm to visit with family and friends.   
    Donations may be made to the Gideon's by calling the funeral home.

Ruby Burden Gregory

Ruby Burden Gregory, 90, of  Poteau, OK passed away Monday February 25, 2019  in  Poteau.  Ruby was born November 29, 1928 in Poteau, OK to Doc & Vossie (Crenshaw) Goins. She was  preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jim Burden; & grandson, Danny Martinez Jr.

Survivors include her husband, Ralph Gregory; Sons, Otis Burden & wife, Trish of Hot Springs, AR, Randy Burden of Ft. Smith, AR, Rodney Burden & companion, Pam Johnson of Poteau, OK; daughter, Karen Spence & husband, Charlie of Poteau, OK; sister, Kathy Himes & companion, Jack O'Donnell of Poteau, OK; 11 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; 5 great great grandchildren; other relatives, loved ones and many friends.

Services will be 2 pm, Friday, March 1, 2019 at Evans Chapel of Memories, Poteau, OK. Interment will follow at Vaughn Cemetery.

Betty F. Qualls

Betty Francis Qualls, 82, of Shady Point, OK passed away Saturday,  February  23, 2019 in Shady Point.  Betty was born April 6, 1936 in Drytown, CA to Frank & Sylvy  Mae  (Guiden) Tripp.  She  was a pastor at Dog Creek & Latham; taught Special Education; and wrote the “Joyful Noise” article for the Poteau paper for years.  Betty was preceded in death by her parents; son, Robert Qualls & 3 sisters.

          Survivors include her husband, Wade of the home; daughter & son in law, Sissie  & Patrick Knight; son, Rick Qualls of Thailand; 8 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; and 2 great great grandchildren; other relatives, loved ones and friends.

          Celebration of Life will be held at 2 pm, Saturday, March 9, 2019 at Dog Creek Community Church.  Bring a dish and a story.  For directions call, 585-415-7722.

Peggy Ann (Fox) Martinez

Peggy Ann Martinez, resident of Tracy, Ca. since 1995 and former resident of Fremont, Ca. died Friday January 26^th, 2018 surrounded by family. She was born inWilliams, Oklahoma on March 21, 1932 to George and Violet Fox and had six

siblings. Peggy attended Cameron High School and loved basketball. She wasmarried to Lee Brannon and during this marriage had two children, Gary and BillBrannon. Peggy and Lee subsequently divorced and she relocated to Fremont,

where she met her current husband of 59 years, Amos Martinez. Peggy and Amos had three more sons, Guy, Keith, and Jason Martinez.

She was a loving grandmother to fifteen grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. Peggy was a working mother who loved her family fiercely. Peggy was a Quality Assurance Inspector for the Memorex Corporation and retired after twenty plus years there.

Peggy loved watching her children play sports, listening to country music, and

watching The Young & the Restless with her husband. She was preceded in death

by her parents George and Violet Fox, brothers James Fox, Bill Fox, John Fox, and sister Pauline. Shortly after Peggy’s death, her son Bill Brannon and sister Shirley Hurst also passed. She is survived by her son’s Gary, Guy, Keith, Jason, her brother Frank Fox, many nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.                                                                  In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society. A brief gravesite service will be held at the Greenhill Cemetery in Cameron, Ok. at 10 a.m. on Saturday March 23, 2019 immediately followed by a reception at the Cameron Community Center.

Wyllie Sue Black

    Wyllie Sue Black, 95, of Frisco, TX passed away Thursday, February 21, 2019 at her home.  Wyllie was born March 30, 1923, in Poteau, OK to William J. & Ada V. (Holson) Harris.  She lived most of her life in Poteau, working as a case worker for DHS; she retired to Broken Bow, OK at age 62.  She moved to Frisco, TX in 2007 and lived with her daughter there until now.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Arlin Black and her parents.

She is survived by her daughter Janna Kearns; granddaughter, Cami Smith of Frisco, TX; grandsons, Damon Kearns of Austin, TX  & Darren Kearns of Frisco, TX; great granddaughters, Lexi, Katelyn & Sydnee Smith of Frisco & Layla Kearns of Austin; great grandson, Jacob Kearns of Austin; other relatives & loved ones.

          Services will be 2 pm, Saturday, March 2, 2019 at Oakland Cemetery Pavilion in Poteau, OK.

There will be a viewing from 5-8 pm on Friday evening.

The family will visit with friends and relatives at the Methodist Church Fellowship Hall on Saturday from 12:30 to service time.