John Robert “Johnny Bob” Williams, age 77, of Maysville, Oklahoma, was born in Evansville, Indiana, on June 21, 1946, to John Roscoe and Rosemary Ann (Taylor) Williams. On Friday, April 19, 2024, surrounded by his loving family, he was called Home by his Heavenly Father for all Eternity. Johnny Bob, as he was affectionately known, was a citizen of the Choctaw Nation and proud of his Native American Heritage. His family moved from Crossville, Illinois, to Maysville in 1949, where his dad was employed by the Warren Petroleum Plant. He attended Story School and Maysville Public Schools where he graduated in 1964. After dating his high school sweetheart for seven years, Johnny Bob married Bobby Lou Winans on September 12, 1969. Johnny Bob later graduated from East Central University in 1970, with a degree in secondary education. While there he enjoyed his time as activities director at First Baptist Church, Ada, Oklahoma. In 1972, Johnny Bob graduated from the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science becoming a licensed embalmer/funeral director. In 1972, Johnny Bob and Bobby Lou together became owners of Winans Funeral Home and operated it until 2015 for a total of 43 years of service. During this time Johnny Bob also acted as the Maysville Ambulance Director for 25 years. In 2023, he earned his 50-year pin for service in the funeral service industry from the Oklahoma Funeral Directors Association of which he was a proud member.

Jessica Lee Johnson (nee Pratt) returned to the Lord April 12, 2024, in Norman, Oklahoma, at the age of 50 years. Jessica Lee Pratt was born on August 3, 1973, in Pauls Valley (Garvin County), Oklahoma to Frann Ibach and Phillip Robert Pratt. Jessica graduated from Pauls Valley Public Schools in 1991 where she participated in gymnastics, cheerleading and musical theatre. While in middle school, Jessica had the lead in the musical South Pacific which inspired a life-long love for acting. She was an active member of the First Baptist Church where she participated in choir and youth programs. Jessica pursued higher education at Arizona State University studying communications and theatre. Following her dreams, she ventured to California where she immersed herself in the vibrant acting scene of Los Angeles as well as finding a home at Church on the Way where she began to serve. In 2001, Jessica co-founded the transformative ministry Jesus at 12 (J12), dedicated to empowering youth and fostering youth leadership skills. Her visionary leadership encouraged her to author and implement the L7 Leadership Development Program. Furthermore, Jessica took mission trips to Canada, Sri Lanka, and Russia, bringing ministry to women and families with tweens. In 2014, Jessica and family returned to Oklahoma, where she embraced a multifaceted career encompassing acting (playing the role of OU Gymnastics coach, KJ Kindler in Full Out 2), mentoring, life coaching, and performing the songs she wrote.

Michal Kay (Pyle) Purser was born October 22, 1942 in Wynnewood, Oklahoma, to Earl and Omega (Dill) Pyle. She entered her heavenly home on April 15, 2024, in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, surrounded by her family. Kay grew up in Elmore City and attended Elmore City Schools. She had a passion for music. She was active in the band throughout her high school years, playing the clarinet and oboe. Kay graduated in the Class of 1960, then went on and attended Oklahoma Christian College. She met Jerry Purser in April 1962. They married three months later on July 12, 1962, and lived in Pauls Valley. Kay was a homemaker and was very active in her children’s school activities. She was known as “Mama Kay” to her children’s friends and others in the community. Jerry and Kay moved to Elmore City in 1997, where they resided for the remainder of their lives. Kay owned a flower shop in Elmore called Kaye’s Bo-Ka from 1993 to 2005. She then retired, but kept herself busy by continuing to attend her grandchildren’s ballgames and school activities. She was known as “Grandma Kay” to all of her grandchildren’s friends, and later in life, transitioned to “Ms. Kay” by numerous people. She was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Elmore City where she served the Lord by being a youth sponsor, singing in the choir, and the women’s group Harmony. She enjoyed helping with church events in any way she could. She was a devout Christian and the matriarch of her family. She will be missed greatly.

Dixie Ellen Findley was born March 4, 1939, in Purcell, Oklahoma, to Everett and Elsie (Jacoway) Miller and passed away on March 31, 2024, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, at the age of 85 years. Dixie was a proud member of the Choctaw tribe. She enjoyed sewing, canning, gardening, flea markets, and garage sales. Dixie loved being outdoors and watching old Westerns on TV Land. Dixie was a strong woman and the leader of her family. Dixie loved the times she spent with her family, especially family dinners. She made the best chicken and dressing around. Everyone wanted her to bring it to the dinners. Dixie will be missed dearly. She is survived by her partner, Leon Knighten; son, Donald Findley and Susan of Rosenberg, Texas; daughters, Brenda Gower of Norman, Oklahoma, Darlene Findley of Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, and Cheryl Ann Mainka of Gracemont, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Christopher Findley, Jessie Findley, Kylie Graham, Katie Cooper, Josh Gower, Jake Gower, Brandi Burton, and Dakota Gibson; great-grandchildren, Makenna Cooper, Lincoln Cooper, Caroline Gower, Sydney Mainka, and Zane Mainka.

There are people who seem to always be taking care of others. Through their actions, and oftentimes simply their presence, we feel seen, we know we are supported, and we are made to feel at home. Joyce Gaye Phillips was one of those rare people and though we are celebrating her life with her passing, she will be remembered for her love of others and for her commitment to her family. She passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Friday, March 22, 2024. On April 2, 1935, Bessie and Conrad Morton welcomed Joyce and her twin brother Charles Ray into their family. Born in Antioch, Oklahoma, Joyce was part of a house-full of siblings. She often spoke of her five brothers and sister and the mischief they would find while working their chores on the farm. Joyce attended Cottonwood School House as a girl and ultimately graduated from Maysville High School in 1953. She was class queen, Football Queen candidate, and held many class and student council offices, despite being quiet and shy as a girl. Joyce had many friends as a teenager, but family was always her first priority.

Betty Jayne Randol was born October 30, 1939, in Whitebead, Oklahoma, to W. N. and Ethyl (Tomlinson) Park and passed away with her family at her side on February 19, 2024, in Purcell, Oklahoma, at the age of 84 years. Betty graduated from Maysville School. On May 10, 1959, Betty married Charles “Chuck” Randol in Marietta, Oklahoma. They made their home in the Maysville area where they raised their children. Betty worked several jobs over the years. Some of those jobs included working for the NAIC through the Episcopal church, at Storms Plastics, and being a waitress.

Myrtle Naomi Watkins Shivers left this life to join her Heavenly Father on February 12, 2024. She was born February 24, 1927, in Prague, Oklahoma, to Sylvester and Addie Vivian Watkins. She married Carl David Shivers on June 26, 1946, in Prague, Oklahoma, and to this union was born four children. Myrtle was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. Her Godly and exemplary life set the example for everyone in her family and many others as well. She was a faithful pastor’s wife for more than 62 years while Carl pastored in more than twelve churches. She was affiliated with the Stratford Free Will Baptist Church in her later years. Throughout her life, she also owned Myrtle’s Dress Shop, was manager of Bayless Drug, and was owner/broker of Shivers’ Real Estate. In addition to these jobs and positions, she sold insurance, was active in her community including Stratford FFA Mother’s Club and Stratford Chamber of Commerce.

Jacky “Jack” Vernon Norvill entered Heaven peacefully on February 9, 2024, at age 87. Born on his family’s farm June 8, 1937, to Frank Vernon and Gussie B. Hardeman Norvill, he was the only son with three older sisters.

Mildred Lee Holmes, age 91, of Maysville, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully Thursday, February 8, 2024, at Grace Living Center in Norman, Oklahoma. Mildred was born December 15, 1932, in Chickasha, Oklahoma, to Arlie Franklin Powell and Leola (Towery) Powell. Her earlier years were spent in See Chapel, Oklahoma, before the family moved to Bradley, Oklahoma. She attended school at See Chapel and Bradley, and was quite the athlete, playing basketball and softball at Bradley. She was the third child of a family of seven children. Growing up she stayed with the younger children while the others worked in the fields until she was old enough to work along with them. She married William Eulas Peters on September 13, 1950, and they were married until he passed on June 13, 1981. They had two children, Richard Peters and Janet Davis, both of Maysville. Mildred was a beautician, factory worker and homemaker. She loved playing dominoes, especially Moon. She learned the game at an early age playing with her parents and siblings. It remained an enjoyment her entire life. She and her siblings were very competitive and every time any of them were together they would get the dominoes out and see who could earn bragging rights. She was very happy when her grandsons, Christopher and Benjamin, took up the game and the competition continued. She thought anyone who lived in the country needed chickens so she would often buy them and take them out to Christopher and Benjamin to raise. She loved sports and was the biggest fan at any sporting event her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were involved in. She thoroughly loved her family and enjoyed spending any time she could with them.

Leah Marie (Moody) Kennedy was born June 18, 1940 in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma to Truman Finis Moody and Sarah Marguerite (Brewer) Moody. Her family moved to Raton, New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Houston, Texas, Oklahoma City, then Pauls Valley where she attended Kindergarten through 2nd grade.