"Duncan" James Preston Ray Jr.

James Preston Ray Jr. “Duncan”, 46, of Poteau, OK passed away Monday, November 28, 2011 in Poteau. Duncan was born July 31, 1965 in Poteau, OK to James Preston & Sharon Kay (Carroll) Ray Sr. He was a roughneck in the oil field. Duncan graduated from Poteau High School in 1983. He loved to hunt & fish & was an avid OU football fan. He loved his granddaughter. He was preceded in death by his sister, LaVanna Marie Ray-Elmore, grandmother, Violet Carroll & uncle, Cecil “Rat” Carroll. Survivors include his son, Preston Lee Ray of Poteau, OK; daughter Jada Marie Ray of Poteau, OK; mother, Sharon Lopez of Ft. Smith, AR; father, James Ray Sr. of Helena, OK; granddaughter, Madalynn Rae Ware; brother, Bobby Ray of Madill, OK; sister, Barbara Dodson of Cushing, OK; special uncles, Billy Carroll & Leonard Carroll; a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces & nephews, many beloved friends. Services will be 10 am Friday, December 2, 2011 at the Oakland Cemetery Pavilion, Poteau, OK with Rev. Jim Cook officiating. Interment will follow. Pallbearers will be Lee Timms, Jason Timms, Jody Thompson, Steve Pickle, Brent Carroll, & Danny Blaylock.

Charles Kenneth Neeley

Charles K. Neeley, 73, of Poteau, OK passed away Saturday, November 19, 2011 in Poteau. Charles was born December 17, 1937 in Holland, MO to Lonnie & Edna (Spencer) Neeley. He was a veteran of the US Air Force. He was a truck driver. Charles was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Debbie Smith & sister, Ruby Neeley. Survivors include his wife, Joyce of the home; daughters, Janice Andrews and Linda McNees of Battle Creek, MI; Robin Griggs of Ohio, Trish Howery of Poteau, OK; sons, Chuck Neeley of Poteau, OK, Darrell Gage of Missouri; 25 Grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren; other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends. Services will be 1 pm, Wednesday, at the Fort Smith National Cemetery Pavilion, Fort Smith, AR with Rev. Nick Hess officiating. Interment will follow.

Joel Dwayne Hicks

Joel Dwayne Hicks, 31, of Poteau, OK passed away Sunday, November 20, 2011 in Poteau. Joel was born November 11, 1979 in McAlester, OK. Joel worked in construction. He loved to play football & golf. He loved his daughter so very much. He was saved and brought to the Lord the summer of 2010. He was preceded in death by his father, Lowell Wayne Hicks; grandparents, Lowell Dee & Atha Belle Hicks, Ray C. Babb, Iris Babb Cabe & Tom Cabe. Survivors include the joy of his life, his daughter, Emma Isabella Hicks of Poteau, OK; mother, Joyce Hicks of Poteau, OK; brother, Matthew Hicks of Poteau, OK; numerous aunts & uncles, cousins; other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends. Private family services will be held Pallbearers will be Zac Cook, John Garrett, JD Cook, TJ Holt, Randy Traw & Raymond Thompson. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to MDA/ALS CENTER AT INTEGRIS SOUTHWEST MEDICAL CENTER 4221 S. Western, Suite 5010 Oklahoma City, OK 73109

Jerry Allen Patton

Jerry Allen Patton, 67, of Poteau, OK passed away Thursday, November 17, 2011 in Ft. Smith, AR. Jerry was born July15, 1944 in Lequire, OK to James Wiley & Myrtle Pauline (Nelson) Patton. Jerry was of the Baptist faith. Jerry was retired from Rheem and was a veteran of the US Army where served in Viet Nam. He was a member of the Poteau Masonic Lodge – 32nd Degree Mason. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, James Earl Patton & stepdaughter, Trisha. Survivors include his wife, Tammy of the home; son, Allen & Angie Patton of Cameron, OK; grandchildren, Kenneth, Kayla, Dalton, Justin, & Tray; sisters, Lucille Owens of Pocola, OK, Ann Clough of Poteau, OK, Paulette Dumas of Stigler, OK, Patsy Followell of Lequire, OK & Wanda Calhoun; other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends. Services will be 2 pm, Tuesday, November 22, 2011, graveside at Siloam Springs Cemetery, McCurtain, OK with Rev. Jim Cook officiating. Interment will follow.Pallbearers will be Allen Patton, Heath Williams, J.L. Calhoun, Bobby Holden, Shawn Followell, Rick Ryburn. Honorary pallbearer: Gary Francis.

Kenneth B. Ford

Kenneth Burton Ford, 75, of Little Axe, OK passed away Wednesday, November 16, 2011 in Norman. Kenneth was born April 24, 1936 in Poteau, OK to John Burton & Edith A. (Green) Ford. He was in the US Marine Corp for 11 years. Kenneth was a truck driver. He worked at the docks and drove trucks. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Denver Ford & Don Ford. Survivors include his wife, Marie of the home; son, John Ford of McComb, OK; 3 Granddaughters, Nicole McCraw and Jessica McCraw of Little Axe, OK, Tasha McCraw of McComb, OK; Brothers, Jerry A. Ford of Poteau, OK, David Ford, Sam Ford, & Dennis Ford of Wister, OK, Charlie Ford of Sallisaw, OK; sisters, Lilly Fitzpatrick; Betty VanHook of Howe, OK, Faye Rockman, Bonnie Brown of Poteau, OK; other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends. Services will be 2 pm, Saturday, November 19, 2011 at the 7th Day Church of God in Wister, OK with Rev. Lamar Ford officiating. Interment will follow in Ellis Chapel Cemetery, Wister, OK. Pallbearers will be Jeff Ford, Maury Ford, Ross Green, Ryan Green, Aaron Brown, Clendon Brown, Jason Brown. The family will be at the funeral home on Friday evening from 5-7 pm to visit with relatives & friends.

Iva Poor

Mary Iva Poor, 92, of Wister, OK passed away Monday, November 14, 2011 in Poteau, OK. Iva was born February 28, 1919 in Wright City, OK to Joseph Newton & Josephine (Douglas) Lloyd. She was a homemaker and a member of the First Baptist Church at Summerfield. Iva was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Roscoe Poor; son, Leodis Poor; sisters, Reneer Saulters, Dolly West, Robie Kinsworthy; brothers, Paul Lloyd, Utah Lloyd, Walter Lloyd. Survivors include her daughters, Helen Loyd of Summerfield, OK, Rita Findley of Hinton, OK, Iveen Perse of Poteau, OK, LeDoris Monigold of Mena, AR; sons, Dempsey Poor of Malakoff, TX, Manuel Poor, Elvis Poor & Presley Poor all of Summerfield, OK; 18 grandchildren, Rocky Coleman Rick Coleman, Vanessa Richie, Mitch Findley, Sid Findley, Jimmy Box, John Jones, Shonna Colbert, Misty Hyndman, Ashley Brown, Cody Poor, Shannon Poor, Lacey Snell, Joe Poor, Sandra Hayes, Tracy Poor, Tyron Poor & Ella Poor; numerous great grandchildren & great great grandchildren; brother, Rex Lloyd of Kansas City; sister, Icie Stacey of Hodgen, OK; other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends. Services will be 10 am Friday – November 18, 2011 at First Baptist Church, Summerfield, OK with Rev. Chris Hyndman & Rev. Charles Caughern officiating. Interment will follow in Summerfield Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jimmy Box, Rocky Coleman, Ricky Coleman, Mitch Findley, Sid Findley, Shannon Poor, Cody Poor, Tracy Poor, & Tyron Poor.

Timothy Brown

Timothy Doyle Brown, 55, of Cameron, OK passed away Monday, November 14, 2011 in Cameron. Timothy was born June 20, 1956 in Claremore, OK to Abe & Nina Lavon (Shimpoch) Brown. He was a truck driver. Timothy was preceded in death by his father; and his wife, Rhonda Brown. Survivors include his son, Eli Brown of Cameron, OK; 4 daughters, Nyelah Hallet of Afton, OK, Kanaan Hallet of Joplin, MO, Melissa Hembree of Purdy, MO, Kera Brown of Cameron, OK; 8 grandchildren; 2 brothers, Jack Brown of Baxter Springs, KS, Jerry Brown of Lake Havasu, AZ; mother, Nina Brown of Baxter Springs, KS; wife, Terri Brown of Pocola, OK; other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends. Services are pending.

Thomas Edward Morrison

Thomas Edward Morrison, 68, of Spiro, OK passed away Monday, November 14, 2011 in Ft. Smith, AR. Thomas was born October 16, 1943 in Hontubby, OK to Arthur & Elizabeth (Helton) Morrison. He was a truck driver. Thomas was a veteran of the US Army and he served in Viet Nam. He was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his wife, Joan of the home; daughter, Jeanna Smith of Spiro, OK; sons, Ronnie Morrison of Waldron, AR, Hurshell Morrison of Houston, TX, Rickey Morrison of Spiro, OK; grandchildren, Punky Osburn, Jimmy Smith, Kayble, Kasey, Kole, Shelby, Travis, Halley & Leanna Morrison; great grandson, Keaton Osburn; sister, Mary Frances Ritter of Bentonville, AR, Faye Baker of Vandervoort, AR, Joyce Wilson of Poteau, OK, Marie Baker of Vanderwoort, AR; brother, Franklin Morrison of Cameron, OK; other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends. Services will be 2 pm, Friday – November 18, 2011 at Evans Chapel of Memories, Poteau, OK with Rev. Jim Cook officiating. Interment will follow at New Hope Cemetery, Spiro, OK. Pallbearers are Jimmy Smith, Kenny Osburn, Kayble Morrison, Kole Morrison, Johnny Pagett, Hurshell Morrison and Rickey Morrison

Lonnie Thurmon

Lonnie E. Thurmon, 81, of Cameron, OK passed away Friday, November 11, 2011 in Fort Smith, AR. Lonnie was born June 1, 1930 in Cameron, OK to Joe & Martha G. (Wolliver) Thurmon. He was a mechanic Survivors include his 4 stepdaughters; nieces, Betty Jo Shelby & Catherine Charlton; 8 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren & former wife, Sue Cole. Services are pending.

Hansford Doyle Isenhart

Hansford Doyle Isenhart, 76, of Poteau, OK passed away Friday, November 11, 2011 in Poteau. He was born July 25, 1935 in Poteau, OK to Clarence & Jewell (Midgley) Isenhart. Doyle was a veteran of the US Army. He worked construction as a concrete finisher. He was a member at Ellis Chapel Church in Wister, OK. Doyle was preceded in death by his brothers, Jimmy & Wayne Isenhart & sister, Juanita King. Survivors include two daughters, Beverly Oquist of Hartman, AR, Teresa Warren of Coal Hill, AR; granddaughters, Kylee & Haley Warren; 5 sisters, Mickey Nunes of Eureka, CA, Leona Evans of Hydesville, CA, Alice Isenhart of Little Rock, AR, Jean Euboldi of Eureka, CA, Sue Jilge of Spokane, WA; brother, Bill Isenhart of Mesa, AZ; other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends. Services will be 10 am, Tuesday, November 15, 2011 at Ellis Chapel Church in Wister, OK with Rev. Jack Covey officiating. Interment will follow in Ellis Chapel Cemetery, Wister, OK. Pallbearers will be Scotty D. Midgley, Mike Young & Donnie Stroud. Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Isenhart, Lonnie Wilson, Darryl Muldoon & John Satterfield. The family will be at the funeral home on Monday evening from 6-8 pm to visit with relatives & friends.

Edgery "Junior" Qualls

Edgery “Junior” Qualls, 70, of Shady Point, OK passed away Sunday, November 13, 2011 in Poteau, OK. Junior was born April 1, 1941 in Calhoun, OK to Clay E. & Jewell (Mayfield) Qualls. He was retired from AOG. Survivors include his wife, Janet of the home; son & daughter in law, Vernon & Mary Qualls of Wister, OK; granddaughters, Candice James & Ashley Stacy; great grandchildren, Caleb Stacy & Caitlyn Stacy; sisters, Iva Harp of Poteau, OK, Darlene Powers of Midwest City, OK, Shellia Davidson of Poteau, OK; brother, Jerry Qualls of Shady Point, OK; other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends. Services will be 10 am Wednesday, November 16, 2011 graveside at Shady Point Cemetery with Rev. Jim Cook officiating. Interment will follow

Howard Larry Perkins Sr.

Howard Larry Perkins Sr., 65, of Pocola, OK passed away Friday, November 11, 2011 in Pocola, OK. Howard was born July 20, 1946 in Pocola, OK to Billy & Bertha (Blair) Perkins. He was a concrete finisher, retired from Buckner Fleming. He was a member of Labor Union Local # 107. He was an outdoorsman who loved hunting and fishing. He loved his grandchildren. Howard was preceded in death by his parents; 4 brothers & 1 sister. Survivors include his sons & daughter in law, Larry & Tahona Perkins, Bill Perkins of Pocola, OK, daughter & son in law, Anna & John Snow of Ft. Smith, AR; girl friend, Pam Dixon of Pocola, OK; numerous grandchildren; sisters & brother in law, Anna & Danny Rush of Rock Island, OK, Esta Sanders of Pocola, OK; other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends. Services will be 2 pm, Tuesday, November 15, 2011 graveside at Steep Hill Cemetery, Jenny Lind, AR with Rev. Gaylon Freeman officiating. Pallbearers will be Dink Pendergrass, Charlie Daniels, Joey Maxwell, Billy Frank Perkins, Brian Buckner, Raymond Tanksley. The family will be at the funeral home in Pocola, OK on Monday evening from 5-7 pm to visit with relatives & friends.

Sue B. (Kennedy) Dutton

Sue B. (Kennedy) Dutton, 81, of Poteau, OK passed away Friday, November 11, 2011 in Fort Smith, AR. Sue was born May 1, 1930 in LeFlore, OK to Hugh Sr. & Beatrice (Fulton) Kennedy. Sue and Harold were married July 5, 1947. Sue was a wife, homemaker, mother, grandmother, great grandmother. She loved being a military wife & traveling the world with her husband & family. After Harold’s retirement in 1974 they settled in Poteau. Sue had many interests that occupied her time. She enjoyed finding & buying antiques. She discovered a talent for painting & took classes in Fort Smith. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Hugh Kennedy Jr.; grandson, Christopher Vandagriff; and grandmother, Lillian Kennedy. Survivors include her husband, Harold K. Dutton (US Air Force Retired) of Poteau; Daughters, Diane Vandagriff and husband, Jerry; Renee Kennedy & husband, Scott Winfree; Son, Robert Dutton; Grandsons, Patrick Vandagriff & wife, Meghan; Reese Hines; Yuri Hines & wife, Jade; (all 3 grandsons are active in the US Air Force); great grandchildren, Zachary, Ella, Aiden, & Gavin; Sisters, Roberta Ragland & husband, Doyle, Martha Walden & husband, Harvey. Services were 2 pm, Monday, November 14, 2011 at the First Methodist Church in LeFlore with Rev. Jim Cook officiating. Interment followed in LeFlore Cemetery, LeFlore, OK. Pallbearers were Yuri Hines, Ronnie Ragland, Jimmy Ragland, David Kennedy, Jerry Vandagriff & Robert Dutton. Evans & Miller Funeral Home, Poteau, OK The family will be at the funeral home on Sunday afternoon from 2-4 pm to visit with relatives & friends.

John Al Garner Jr.

John Al Garner, Jr., 81, of Wister, OK passed away Sunday, November 6, 2011 in Talihina, OK. John Al was a veteran of the US Army. He was owner of Garner’s Garage which has been passed down from father to son and has been open in Wister for over 100 years. John Al was a member of the Wister Fire Department, instrumental in its organization, was Fire Chief and retired from the Fire Department after serving over 24 years, of which he was very proud. He was a member of the Wister School Board for 25 years. He served as Mayor of Wister. He was always civic minded and very involved in many aspects of the Wister community. He was a member of the First Southern Baptist Church in Wister for over 60 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Al Sr. & Bessie LaRuth (Cox) Garner. Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Dorothy of the home; daughter, Sherry Garner of the home; brother & sister in law, Jack Wayne & Jimmie Garner of Ft. Smith, AR; niece & her husband, Brenda & Jim Richardson of Bedford, TX; numerous great nieces, nephews, & cousins; brother in law, Donald Waters & wife, Earline of Ponca City, OK; special cousins, Tommy & Carolyn Ward of Wister; other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends. Services will be 2 pm, Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at the First Southern Baptist Church in Wister, OK with Rev. Don Taylor & Rev. PJ Atkinson officiating. Interment will follow in Ellis Chapel Cemetery, Wister, OK. Pallbearers will be Bocky Martin, Ben Curtis, Mack Essman, Carl Whitlock, Donnie DeWitt, Dean Young. Honorary pallbearers will be Ike & Ikie Caudell & Harrell Bright. The family will be at the funeral home on Tuesday evening from 6-8 to visit with relatives & friends.

Leta Marjorie McCroskey

Leta Marjorie McCroskey, 61, of Poteau, OK passed away Saturday, November 5, 2011 in Poteau. Leta was born January 31, 1950 in Waco, TX to Charles Leighton & Vertie Novelia (Dodson) Stephens Warrick. She was a material expediter at Whirlpool. Leta was preceded in death by her father; stepfather, John Warrick; 4 stepbrothers, John Jr, Doug, Bruce & David Warrick. Survivors include her husband, Charlie of the home; mother Novelia “Novi” Warrick of Poteau, OK; twin sister, Rita Cooper of Lake Havasu, AZ, brother, Charles Stephens of Scappoose, OR; stepbrothers, Bob Warrick of Crestline, CA and Wayne Warrick of Marrietta, GA; other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends. Services will be 11 am, Wednesday, November 9, 2011, at Evans Chapel of Memories, Poteau, OK with Rev. Jim Cook & Rev. David Hardin officiating. Interment will follow in Oakland Cemetery, Poteau, OK. The family will be at the funeral home on Tuesday evening from 6-8 pm to visit with friends & relatives.

Jimmy Cecil "JC" Walls

Jimmy Cecil Walls, 75, of Shady Point, OK passed away Thursday, November 3, 2011 in Ft. Smith, AR. JC was born July 5, 1936 in Cameron, OK to Jim Sam & Easter (Thompson) Walls. He was a minister and a carpenter. JC & Shirley were married for 57 years. He was a Pentecostal minister for over 50 years. JC was a loving father, husband, grand and great grandfather. He loved to play music with his special friends; he played at the Oaks Nursing Home for the last 15 years. JC played banjo, fiddle & guitar. He was an avid deer hunter; loved to garden and had a big heart for people. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Tina Walls and brother Sidney Walls. Survivors include his wife Shirley of the home; 3 sons & daughters in law, Sam & Donna Walls of Shady Point, OK, Tim & Debbie Walls of Panama, OK, Mark & Frances Walls of Shady Point, OK; 5 grandchildren & their spouses, Lorie & Josh Gillham of Poteau, OK, Josh & Julie Walls of Panama, OK, Chelsi & Drew Beard of Ardmore, OK, Kyle & Katy Walls of Poteau, OK, Nicholas Walls of Shady Point, OK; 4 great grandchildren, Mariah, Dylan, Jalynn & Bo; 4 sisters, Mattie Marshall of Kansas City, KS, Aline Cody & Betty Claunts of Cameron, OK, Wanda Weaver of Broken Arrow, OK; brother, Homer Walls of Poteau, OK; numerous nieces & nephews; other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends. Services will be 2 pm, Monday, November 7, 2011 at the Solid Rock Pentecostal Church of God in Panama, OK with Rev. Tim Painter & Scott Martin officiating. Interment will follow in Fairview Cemetery, Panama, OK. Pallbearers will be Don, Bobby, Doyle, Craig, Michael, and Brian Martin. Honorary pallbearers will be Kyle & Josh Walls. The family will be at the funeral home on Sunday from 4-6 pm to visit with relatives & friends.

Esther T. Percifield-Kuykendall

Esther Therese Percifield-Kuykendall, 78, of Wister, OK passed away Wednesday, November 2, 2011 in Poteau, OK. Esther was born July 14, 1933 in New York Mills, MN to Brynolf & Esther (Blomberg) Hill. She was retired at the Kerr Conference Center. Esther was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Doug Percifield & second husband, J.C. Kuykendall. Survivors include her son Doug Percifield & fiancé, Theresa of Wister, OK; daughters & son in law, Linda & Jim Kaiser of Duluth, MN, Terri Cantrell of Waterford, CA, Rita Toney of Oakdale, CA; grandchildren, Vicki Holtz, Becky Revier, Nicholas Olson, Katie, Blake, Kylie, & Kacie Percifield, Jill Stott, & Whitney Ridgeway; numerous great grandchildren; sisters, Darlene Moody of Rochester, MN, Alice Rieckmann of Horicon, WI, Mary Ann Robnik of Esko, MN Other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends. Services will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 5, 2011 at the First Southern Baptist Church in Wister, OK with Rev. Don Taylor & Rev. Frankie Harris officiating. Interment will follow in Springhill Cemetery, Monroe, OK. Pallbearers will be Dennis Dodson, Freddie Nelson, Shawn Goad, Shane Turnipseed, Scott Shadwick, & Johnny Free. The family will be at the funeral home on Friday evening from 6-8 pm to visit with friends and relatives.