Imogene Harris

          Imogene (Hale) Harris, 91,  of Panama, OK passed away Thursday, March 26, 2020 in Ft. Smith, AR.   Imogene was born October 12, 1928 at Nubbin Ridge, OK to William “Bill” & Molly (Poteet) Hale. She was married 64 years to Jack Harris.   Jack preceded her in death as well as her parents; 4 brothers, 2 sisters, one granddaughter & one grandson.

          She is survived by 6 children, Gary Cloud  of Lexington, OK, Ronnie Harris & wife Barbara of Poteau, OK, Donnie Harris & wife Lillie  of McCurtain, OK, Jackie Harris & wife Judy of Shady Point, OK; Trudy Edwards & husband Freddie of Cameron, OK, Eugene Harris & wife Shelly of Cameron, OK; 14 grandkids, 20 great grandkids, 4 great great grandkids, brothers, Carl Hale, Cotton Hale & wife Snowdine of Spiro; sister, Evelyn Minor of Shady Point;  numerous nieces, nephews, many many friends that love and will miss her so.

          Imogene “Momma” how do we possibly tell everything we would like for people to know about this precious lady in so few words.  Well, we can’t so we want to share some of our wonderful memories with everyone.  She had a heart of Gold; she would treat everyone with such love and kindness.  She loved to talk on the phone – some would say if you wanted to know anything about what was happening in Panama just call Imogene.  She loved telling jokes and making others laugh; that we will never forget.

One of her favorite times was when the family would all come together; Christmas was always a joyous time with story-telling and singing.

          Momma would share stories like the time she changed the birth certificate date on the younger set of twins so they could all four go to first grade together – she just needed a break!  Momma worked hard all her life, raising kids and working the garden.  She & Jack grew a garden for many years, working potatoes and making her famous chow-chow which she loved making.  She was known as the chow-chow lady.  She never kept much of it for her and Jack.  She loved to give it to family and friends.  That was what she wanted to do.  When she made her cream pies she would make sure her husband and her children each had their own pie. 

          These are memories we will never forget.  We love our Momma and Granny.  We will see you and Daddy again in heaven.

          Graveside services  were held  Saturday, March 28, 2020 at Fairview Cemetery, Panama, OK.  

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Evans & Miller Funeral Home, POTEAU, OK

Kathryn Cotner

          Kathryn Louise Cotner, 89, of Spiro, OK passed away Friday, March 27, 2020 in Sallisaw, OK.  Kathryn was born July 19, 1930 in Poteau, OK to Elza & Grace (Cupp) Webb.  She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Leo & Johnny; and husband, Monty Cotner. 

          Survivors include her daughter & son in law, Paulette Goforth Perkins & Bill of Pocola, OK; grandchildren, Joe & Stephanie Cotner of Yukon, OK, Kathryn Marquez of Pocola, OK; great grandchildren, Jessica & Robert Dodd, Kathryn & Alexander Erickson, Abigayle Rollins; great great grandson,  Elliot Dodd; other relatives, loved ones and friends.

          Graveside services were Tuesday, March 31, 2020 at Macedonia Cemetery, Pocola, OK

Doyle Ragland

         Doyle Jenning Ragland, 99, of Poteau, OK passed away Saturday March 28, 2020 in Van Buren, AR.  Doyle was born December 25, 1920 in Leflore, OK to John W. & Clara (Wyatt) Ragland.  He was a veteran of the US Navy serving in WWII and Korea.  He was a teacher & coach at Panama High School and Junior High Principal at Talihina, OK.  Doyle was preceded in death by his parents; Wife Roberta (Tommy) Ragland; 5 sisters, Zula Cook, Evelyn Mullins, Lois Roberts, Imogene Huckabee and Bobbie Duncan; brothers, Harley, Arley, and Herman.

          Doyle was a member of the First Baptist Church of Poteau, OK.  He graduated from Leflore High School.  He also attended Eastern Oklahoma A&M College at Wilburton and Southeastern State College following WWII. He received his BS Teaching Degree and took a teacher position at Hartshorne, OK but was recalled to active duty by the US Navy before school started during the Korea Conflict. Upon being released by the Navy he took a teaching position with Pocola Public School for 4 years, then moved to Panama where he was a teacher, girls’ basketball & softball coach, and Grade School Principal. He received his MS Degree from Northeaster State College while at Panama before going to Talihina Public School as Junior High Principal.

                   Survivors include his daughter Patricia Luster of Poteau, OK & sons; Jimmy Ragland and Daughter in Law Dottie of Mesa, AZ and Ronald Ragland and Daughter in Law Patsy of Maumelle, AR. Sister; Margaret McNiel of Springfield, MO; numerous Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren, & Great, Great Grandchildren, other relatives, loved ones and friends.

          Graveside Services were Tuesday, March 31, 2020 at LeFlore Cemetery, Leflore, OK.

VIOLA BROWN

   Viola Grace Brown, 95, of Cameron, OK passed away Tuesday, March 24, 2020 in Poteau.  Viola was born June 21, 1924 in Poteau, OK to Isom & Grace (Davis) Holstead.  She was a homemaker; preceded in death by her husband, Sonny Brown.

          Survivors include her sons, Gary & Linda Brown, Larry & Delores Brown; 5 grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren; nieces, nephews; other loved ones & friends.

          Graveside services were held Thursday, March 26, 2020 at Fairhill/Knothole Cemetery. 

Greg McGowen

**** CELEBRATION OF LIFE 6:30 PM, JUNE 27 AT FANSHAWE CEMETERY PAVILION - FOLLOWED BY ICE CREAM FELLOWSHIP -  COME AND SHARE IN HIS LIFE AND LEGACY***        Gregory Clarence McGowen, 83, of Fanshawe, Oklahoma passed from this life on March 27, 2020, at his home in Fanshawe, surrounded by his family.  Greg was born on February 2, 1937 in the community of Cedar Creek near Fanshawe to parents Norma Hazel (Jackson) McGowen and Clarence J. McGowen.

          Greg graduated from Fanshawe High School in 1955.  He attended Graceland College in Lamoni, IA and later received both his Bachelors & Masters degree in Education from Northeastern OK in Tahlequah.  In the fall of 1959 he started his teaching career in Arkoma, Ok, he taught for 32 years and was the Elementary Principal in  Red Oak, Ok for the last 17.  Greg always had a wandering spirit and took a year off from teaching to travel early in his career.  He had a few adventures in the old Falcon, removing the back seat to make space to sleep on his journeys, but eventually found his way back home to Fanshawe.  He served as the County Superintendent of Leflore County in the early 70’s.  While holding this position his father introduced him to his future bride, Sally Bustin, she always said she was handpicked by his dad. He and Sally were married on his birthday in 1973, so he could never forget their anniversary.   In 1974 he accepted the principal position at Shady Point. A few years later they moved to Fanshawe into the house they still call home.  In 1976 Greg became Elementary Principal at Red Oak and remained there until he retired in 1992.  Retirement allowed him to attend all of his children’s sporting events; from 1992 to 2004 his primary concern in life was watching his kids play sports. He never missed a game and was happiest coaching from the stands, celebrating wins and analyzing losses on the car rides home.

          Greg was a devoted member and minister in the Community of Christ church in Fanshawe. He served in several different priesthood offices, including Priest, Elder, High Priest and Evangelist.   He performed the baptisms of his wife Sally and all three of his children in the same hole of water on Cedar Creek where his grandfather, Jewel Jackson baptized him in 1948. The last baptisms he performed were for two of his beloved grandchildren just a little farther upstream but still on Cedar Creek.  A celebration of his ministry in Community of Christ was held in 2012 and at that time, our best estimate is that he had married at least 40 couples, and presided over 150 funerals. The funerals Greg presided over were comforting celebrations of life, he spent many hours talking to family members and carefully prepared personalized tributes for each person.

                    Greg is survived by his wife, Sally of the home; two daughters & sons in law, Marcie and Rob Tucker of Jones, OK , Sarah and Michael Reed of Rock Island, OK, one son & daughter in law, Wes and Amber McGowen of Fanshawe, OK, eight grandchidren; Logan, Tye and Zoe Tucker, Mia, Tripp, and Ridge McGowen, Kade and Emma Reed; two sisters; Judith and Nolan Branscum of Arkoma, OK, Carol and Craig Nikel of Sand Springs, OK. Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and beloved friends.  He is preceded in death by his parents.

          Due to the current pandemic, family will have a private service with a memorial service to be planned at a later date. Open viewing will be at Evans and Miller Funeral Home on Saturday, March 28, 2020.

          Greg was a great lover of reading and sports.  In lieu of flowers the family requests donations of children’s books be made to Fanshawe Schools or donations be made to the Fanshawe School Activity Fund in his memory.