Katherine June Tolbert

Katherine June Tolbert, 61, of  Broken Arrow, OK passed away Saturday, October 29, 2016 in Tulsa, OK.  Katherine was born November 29, 1954 in Tulsa, OK to Clarence William & Rosa Belle (Cole) Hayes Sr.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence Hayes, Rosa & Troy Pyland; son, Jay Shankle and best friend, Marsha Chahoud.

Survivors include her husband, Terry of the home; daughter Devin & Sean Covey of Howe, OK; sons, Leon & Heather Tolbert of Sapulpa, OK Justin & Mandy Tolbert of Sand Springs, OK; 13 grandchildren - the loves of her life, Mckenna, Chloe, Jadyn, Barrett, Olivia, Brooklyn, Preston, Jaxyn, Josiah, Andruw, Jason, Asher, Hudson; 2 sisters, Paula & Robert Woods of Collierville, TN, Cheryl & Ron Nichols of Poteau, OK; 3 brothers, Rookey & Betsy Hayes of Poteau, OK, Paul & Beth Hayes of Oklahoma City, OK, Todd Pyland of Tulsa, OK;  numerous nieces and nephews; best friend, Deborah Ford of Poteau, OK.

Services will be 2 pm, Thursday at the Gospel Tabernacle, Poteau, OK with Jack Hayes & Charles Conley officiating.  Interment will follow in Oakland Cemetery, Poteau.  Pallbearers will be Rookey Hayes, Paul Hayes, Todd Pyland, Sean Covey, Justin Tolbert and Leon Tolbert.  Honorary pallbearers will be Austin Hayes, Aiden Hayes and Kevin Woods.

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

Peggy Ward

Peggy Jewnell Ward, 78, of Panama, OK passed away  Tuesday, October 18, 2016 in Panama.  Peggy was born  August 31, 1938 in Broken Bow, OK to Jess & Daphner (Anderson) Bray.  She was a beautician.  Peggy was preceded in death by her parents; grandsons, Jesse Ward & John Ward; brothers, Clarence, J.W. & Richard Bray; sisters, Mary Lou Clecker, Billie June Rogers.

Survivors include her husband of 59 years, Joe Ward;  sons, Jeff Ward & girlfriend Tammy Gammon of Shady Point,  Terry Frazier & girlfriend Francis Wise of Panama; daughter, Lisa & Cordale  Balcombe of Ridgway, CO; grandchildren, Kristen & Joe Mang of PA, Hunter Balcombe, Vanessa Frazier & Billy Conoway, Megan & Garrett Rose, Cheyenne & Steven Duncan, Matthew & Beth Ward all of Broken Bow, OK; 14 great grandchildren; brother, Arnold Bray; nephew, James & Kathy Bray; other relatives, loved ones and friends.

Services will be 10 am, Saturday, October 22, 2016 at Evans Chapel of Memories, Poteau with Rev. David Nolan officiating.  Interment will follow in Holly Creek Cemetery, Broken Bow, OK.  Pallbearers will be Jeff Ward, Terry Ward, Joe Mang, Matthew Ward, Cordale Balcomba, & James Bray.

Ann Howard

Life Reflections

Ann Howard 71, of Poteau, OK passed away on Weds October 12, 2016 at Mercy Hospital in Fort Smith, Ark.

Ann Howard was born on October 2, 1945 to Anna Mae Cutchlow Shoate  & Andy Lee Singleton. She graduated from Poteau High School in 1964. She was married to Larry Howard from 1966 to 1998. She worked for 40 years for the Department of Human Services. She was a devoted member of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church holding the following positions: Church Clerk, Member of Church Board, Church Choir & active in the Mission Society.

Ann (Annie) loved her family and friends to quote one of her Facebook postings “If you have a chance to be with family and friends, do so. Tomorrow is not promised to anyone.” She truly enjoyed being at family reunions, class reunions and just hanging out with her family/friends. Some of her best times where the gatherings at her kitchen table sitting and talking with her kids, nieces, cousins about God and Life in general. Laughing until it hurt with Butchie and Shelly! She always enjoyed her family visiting from Wichita, KS and the Soul Food cooking moments that would just happen in her kitchen with Debbie! The times spent crocheting, staying up late laughing and talking with Maryann, spending weekends in Fort Smith with Charlene & Herman laughing about anything and everything. Her brother Paul visiting and having those burst of laughter moments when he or her said something silly! Laughter was the best part of her being and her infection smile touched a lot of people.

Ann’s biggest hobbies in life were crocheting/knitting and painting! She was a wonderful artist. She also loved to watch her Football!

Ann leaves to cherish her memories: Larry (Butchie) Howard of Poteau, OK, Shelly Howard of Grand Prairie, TX. She leaves 8 siblings: Paul Shoate (Poteau), Herman Shoate & Charlene Shoate (Ft. Smith, AR ) , Shelly Singleton (St. Louis, MO), Sheila Singleton ( Kansas City, KS), Constance “Connie” Singleton (Lee’s Summit, MO), Bruce Singleton (Pam)(Kansas, City MO), Teri Wright (Leo)(Kansas City, MO). She leaves 3 Uncles: James Eaves (Fortson, Columbus Ga), Aubrey Gene Singleton (Lynn) & Oliver Singleton of Kansas City. Host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She is preceded in death by her Father Andy Lee Singleton (stepmother JoAnn Singleton), her mother Anna Mae Shoate (stepdad Roy Shoate), sister Patricia Adams & brother Andre’ Singleton.
 Services will be 1 pm, Saturday, October 22, 2016 at Evans Chapel of Memories, Poteau, OK with Rev. Marvin Thompson officiating.  Interment will follow in Oakland Cemetery, Poteau.  Pallbearers will be Ike Jackson, Sean Forrest, Steve Evans, Shad Stover, Ollie LaGrand & Armon Lamar Forrest.

The family will be at the funeral home on Friday evening, October 21st from 6-8 pm to visit with relatives & friends.

Claude P. Smith

Claude Parker Smith 63, of Heavener, OK went to be with the Lord on October 6, 2016.  Claude retired from the railroad in 2011 and devoted his time to his family and Jay Gas.  Claude was preceded in death by his son, Little Claude Smith; his two dads, Edward Smith & Mutt Meeks; his two mothers Clyde Smith & Iva Meeks; mother in law, Martha Smith; five brothers, Gerald & Carrol Meeks, Kenneth & Melvin Meeks, & James Stone.

He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Kathy Smith;  one son, Cody Smith of the home; two daughters, Krystal & Charles Ciampoli of Ft. Smith, AR, Ronda & Tim Robinson of West Siloam Springs; father in law, Earl Smith; 5 grandchildren, Rebekah McMahon, Tanner Robinson, Brookelyn, Annamae, and Alton Ciampoli and another grandbaby on the way that he was very excited and ready for;  4 sisters, Sara Smith & David Roberts of Baxley, GA, Terry Lindey of Chiefland, FL, Evelyn Wiksye of Louisville, TX, Yvonne Dassler of Wister, OK; 4 brothers, Eugene & Janice Smith, Allen Carter both of Baxley, GA, Mack Smith, Wayne & Linda Meeks of Wister, OK; 3 brothers in law, Kelly & Dayton Smith, Jay & Ruby Smith all of Heavener; very special niece & nephew, Cissy & Wayne Ward of Wister; numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Services will be 2 pm, Sunday, October 9, 2016 at Evans Chapel of Memories with Charles Scott officiating.