Published: October 13, 2009 11:35 am      

Archived Obituaries, 10-13-09

LAURA HUDSON

After a long and inspiring battle with multiple sclerosis, Laura Morrow Hudson died suddenly of complications on October 9, 2009. At her side was her ever attentive husband, Barry Hudson, her son Kirk Hudson and daughter-in-love Kelly.

Her deep faith in Jesus gives us confidence that she is truly at rest. We are grateful for the legacy she has left of love and devotion to her family and friends and to sharing the good news of Jesus’ love. Her life has been an inspiration and a wonderful example of dependence on Him in the most difficult of circumstances.

Laura was born in Pampa, TX, on January 6, 1940 to Rachel and Blue Morrow. She attended school in Ada, OK, where she made friends that would bless her throughout her life. The biannual gatherings of “The Peppers” were always a joy she looked forward to.

She graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in business education. Laura was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. After graduating, Laura was married on June 10, 1961, to her college sweetheart.

In 1964, Barry and Laura moved to Bartlesville where her life took on new meaning with the birth of her first son, Kent. Later would follow another son, Kirk, and a daughter, Susan. Laura’s legacy of devotion to her children took on many forms throughout their growing up years: countless hours as homeroom mom, endless carpools, and tirelessly cheering them on in their sporting events.

When not serving her family, Laura found many ways to bless her community.

She served many years as an Assistant Teaching Leader for Community Bible Study, encouraging Bartlesville women to love the Word that had changed her life so much. Laura was a founding board member of K-Life of Bartlesville. The heartbeat of K-Life lies in the ability to build relationships with kids and bring the content of God’s word to bear on those relationships. This was Laura’s heartbeat as well. After praying for over ten years, it was a joy to see it come to fruition.

It continued to be a joy for her to hear from families who are blessed by the ministry of K-Life today. In 1991, life took an unexpected turn, when after 30 years, Barry’s job relocated them to Edmond, OK. It was an unexpected move, but one that has been an unbelievable blessing. Laura continued ministering to women through Bible Study Fellowship. And with all her kids grown and married, Laura began to fully embrace her new found role as “Granna.”

She could often be heard proudly sharing the grandkids accomplishments from singing “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” to graduating from high school with honors and everything in between.

She was always there to cheer them on. It was also during this time that new and old friendships began to grow and deepen.

As her physical health declined and daily living became harder, Laura and Barry leaned on the support of the best friends anyone could have.

The love and care they have received has been more of a blessing to them than anyone could know. Laura is survived by her husband, Barry; her children: Kent Hudson of Bixby, OK, Kirk Hudson and his wife, Kelly, of Tyler, TX; her daughter, Susan Nickish and her husband, Kirk, of Hamilton, MT. And, perhaps most importantly her beloved grandchildren: Konner, Kameron, Kalloway, Kandace, KJ, Kory, Karissa and Karoline. A memorial service will be held at Faith Bible Church in Edmond at 2 p.m. Tuesday, October 13th. In lieu of flowers the family asks that contributions be sent to K-Life of Bartlesville, PO Box 3994 Bartlesville, OK 74005. Services are under the direction of Matthews Funeral Home, Edmond, OK.

Messages of condolence may be expressed Online at www.adaeveningnews.com.



DWIGHT SMITH

Smith, Jon Dwight, 64, of Tulsa passed away on Friday, October 9, 2009. Dwight was born on April 13, 1945 in Ada to Corbett and Willie Smith. On August 11, 1967, he married Charlene Cope.

Dwight graduated from East Central State College with a Bachelor’s Degree in English in 1967 and from the University of Tulsa with a Master’s Degree in English in 1972. He taught in the Tulsa Public Schools, retiring in 1997, and also at Tulsa Community College.

He was a member of West Tulsa United Methodist Church, where he led singing and taught Bible class. He sang; played mandolin, dobro, recorder, and guitar; and enjoyed bluegrass and country music jams as well as country dances.

He is survived by his wife of forty-two years, Charlene; son, Benjamin Corbett Smith; and daughter, Lindsey Claire Smith. Also surviving are sister, Ruth Timmons; brother Bill Smith and wife Willena; sister-in-law Anita Martin and husband Tony; brother-in-law Bennie Cope and wife Valerie; nieces Linda Gallahar, Francis Quiring, Cathy Jared, Jan Kirkus, Becky O’Dell, Gaye Jared, Carrie Smith, Lori Hasselman, Dina Bruce, Paula Reynolds, Alisha Perkins, Katie Tyler, and Susan Cope; and nephews Joe Gallahar, Ricky Smith, Dean Martin, and Tyler Cope.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Corbett, Jr. (“Jiggs”) and Gene.

He was surrounded by love and loved selflessly with a gentle and generous spirit.

Services will be Saturday at 10 a.m. at West Tulsa UMC. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Jon Dwight Smith Memorial Fund at West Tulsa UMC.

Messages of condolence may be expressed Online at www.adaeveningnews.com.

Cremation Society of Oklahoma, Tulsa



STEVEN MEYERS

AMARILLO, Texas — Services for Steven Meyers, 62, of Amarillo, Texas, will be 11 a.m. Monday at Llano Cemetery with Dr. Roger Hubbard of Lake Tanglewood Community Church officiating.

Mr. Meyers died Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009.

He was born in Amarillo, Texas Feb. 18, 1947. He grew up and graduated high school from Dimmitt, Texas. He attended Sul Ross State University.

Mr. Meyers then went into the Air Force and spent two tours in Vietnam during the war before being honorably discharged in 1970. In 1980, he moved with his family to Stratford, Okla. He worked as a bank auditor for several different banks.

After his boys were grown, Mr. Meyers moved back to Texas where he met and married Kathy June 21, 2002 and lived at Lake Tanglewood until his death.

Mr. Meyers is preceded in death by his father, Wilbur Lee Meyers and mother, Amy Joan Scott.

Survivors include his wife Kathy; three sons, Scott Meyers and wife Lisa of Amarillo, Brad Meyers and wife Neda of Elgin, Okla., Gabe Meyers and wife Cheri of Ada; three stepchildren, Casey Aston and wife Laura of Amarillo, Kim Aston of Gainesville, Texas, and Jade Ridenour of Whitesboro, Texas.

Mr. Meyers is survived by his dad, Cliff Cook; his uncle and aunt, Steve and Juanell Scott; two aunts, Francis Crawford, and Wanda Derrick; two brothers, John Cook and Joe Mike Meyers; nine grandchildren Jessicka, Dakota, Kody, Conner, Skylor, Katon, Joseph, Colby, Lani, and Dayton.

The family requests memorial donations to St. Judes Children Research Hospital.

To sign the Online guest register, visit www.rectorfuneralhome.com or www.adaeveningnews.com

Rector Funeral Home, Amarillo, Texas



FAYE FLEMING

COALGATE — Funeral services for Faye Ruth (Rice) Fleming, 81, Coalgate, are 2 p.m. today at Brown’s Funeral Chapel in Coalgate; the Rev. Bob Graham officiating. Burial will follow at Rosehill Cemetery.

Ms. Fleming died Oct. 9, 2009 at Ada. She was born Jan. 1, 1928 at Florence, Ala. to Hulet and Rebeca (Hall) Rice and attended Clarita School.

She married Billy Clay Keener and later married Earl Fleming.

Ms. Fleming is survived by sons George Keener and wife Elizabeth of Edmond, Bobby Keener and wife Robin of Moore; daughter Becky Rivera and husband Armando of Moore; grandchildrend Lee Keener, Wayne Keener, Chantell Keener, Brittany Keener, Alisha Owens, Patrick May, Mike May, Krystal Bealcher and Jeremy Buhl; eight great-grandchildren; brothers Briggs Rice, Victor Rice, Billy Bob Rice and Warren Rice; sister Gaile Lawrence along with many other friends and relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Earl Fleming, brothers Winston Rice and Thomas Rice, and sister Judith Rice.

Bearers will be Lee Keener, Wayne Keener, Patrick May, Mike May, Rick Rice and Jimmy Owens. Honorary bearers will be Walter Rice and Randall Rice.

Messages of condolence may be expressed Online at www.adaeveningnews.com.

Brown’s Funeral Service, Coalgate



AUDREY HALE

EUFAULA — Services for Audrey Hale, 97, of Eufaula formerly of Ada will be 10 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 14, at Kelley Memorial Chapel of Hunn, Black & Merritt Funeral Home & Crematory in Eufaula with Dr. Dalton Young officiating.

Burial will follow at 3 p.m. at Rosedale Cemetery in Ada with her grandsons serving as pallbearers.

Ms. Hale died Oct. 11, 2009 at Eufaula Manor Nursing Home. She was born Sept. 12, 1912 at Charleston, Ark. to Walter and Anna (Whitaker) Hunter.

She was a beautician and a homemaker. She moved from Eufaula to Ada in 1958. Ms. Hale was a longtime resident of Ada until she moved to Eufaula in 2000.

She married Wendell Hale at Eufaula Aug. 25, 1938. He died in 1980.

She is survived by two daughters, Willa Thorton and husband Van of Tulsa, and Sharon Kennedy and husband Euel of San Luis Obsjso, Calif.; one son, Morris Hale of Stuart; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Ms. Hale is preceded in death by her husband Wendell; her parents, Walter and Anna Hunter; three brothers, Buron, Doyle and Stanley; three sisters, Floye, Zonell and Willa Dene; and one granddaughter, Pauline.

Hunn, Black & Merritt Funeral Home & Crematory, Eufaula



HENRY PATRICK

ADA-Services for Henry Cecil Patrick, 88, Ada, are 2 p.m. Wednesday at Criswell Funeral Home Chapel, Danny Stewart will officiate. Mrs. Mary Jo Green will also speak. Burial will follow at Swan Hill Cemetery. The Chickasaw Honor Guard will conduct military honors at the cemetery.

Mr. Patrick died Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009 at his home. He was born Oct. 19, 1920 at Mowdy, Okla. to Luther and Birdie Hall Patrick. He attended Nixon schools. He and his family moved to Pontotoc County in 1973 from Coal County. He later moved to Ada in 1981.

He married Gladys Battles June 20, 1940 at Tishomingo, Okla. She died April 5, 2000 in Ada. They were married for 60 years. He later married Bernice Christesen Colbert on Oct. 22, 2003 in Ada.

Mr. Patrick was the Coal County Road Foremen from 1952 until 1955. In 1955, he was employed with the State Highway Dept. until 1962. He was a self-employed water well driller, plumber, carpenter, auto mechanic and oil and mineral landman. He was also a lifelong rancher. Mr. Patrick was a member of Central Church of Christ. He helped in establishing the Chickasaw Sr. Citizens Center in Ada where he volunteered from 1980 until two weeks ago. He received “Volunteer of the Year” numerous times by the state and was recognized by Gov. Bill Anoatubby. Mr. Patrick served in the United States Navy during World War II in the South Pacific as a Radar Technician. He served form June 1, 1944 until Jan. 25, 1946.

Survivors include his wife, Bernice Patrick, of the home; a brother-in-law, Doy Battles, Ada; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by one sister, Tressie Russell; and five brothers, Tom Patrick, Ed Patrick, Monk Patrick, Claud Patrick and Mann Patrick.

Bearers will be his nephews, Dustin Battles, Joe Battles, Jim Battles, Shad Barnett, Don Flint and Jerry Miller. Honorary bearers will be Ed Swarb, Fred Carnes, J. L. Green, Bencie Lillard, Greg Perry, Dr. Jerry Morgan, Clark Cogburn, Paul Wilson, Delbert Inman, Charles Forehand and Tom Miller.

Criswell Funeral Home, Ada



BENNY SMITH

ADA-Services for Benny Roscoe Smith, 75, Ada, are pending with Criswell Funeral Home. Mr. Smith died Monday, Oct. 12, 2009 at a Shawnee hospital.

Criswell Funeral Home, Ada



TOMMY CALDWELL JR.

SULPHUR — Services for Tommy H. Caldwell Jr., 75, Sulphur, will be 2 p.m. Thursday at DeArman's Clagg Funeral Chapel in Sulphur. Burial will follow at Drake Cemetery near Sulphur.

Mr. Caldwell died Monday, Oct. 12, 2009 at Oklahoma City.

DeArman's Clagg Funeral Home, Sulphur