Phyllis “Gail” Chambers was born March 4, 1943, to Andrew L. (Doc) and Freda P. (Young) Chambers in their home on the Texaco, Reynolds Lease, outside Oilton, Oklahoma. She passed into the arms of Jesus on February 2, 2024, with her loved ones by her side. In 1957, the family moved to Bristow, Oklahoma, where she graduated from Bristow High School in 1961. After graduation, Gail met her “Knight” in Shining Armor, William L. (Bill) McKnight, II. They were married on December 22, 1961, at First Baptist Church Bristow. Following Bristow, they lived in Sedalia, Missouri, Westville, Oklahoma, Cushing, Oklahoma and Pauls Valley, Oklahoma. In Pauls Valley, she was Financial Clerk for Pauls Valley Public Schools. She retired in 1998, after 22 years of service in the Administrative Office. After retirement, Gail and Bill moved to Cushing. She was a member of the Cushing First Baptist Church.

Tony Jefferson Thomas was born on December 29, 1960, in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, to Charles Jefferson Thomas and Naomi (Mantooth) Thomas and passed away January 27, 2024, in Norman, Oklahoma, at the age of 63 years. Tony was a graduate of Maysville High School. After graduation, Tony enlisted in the Army where he remained until sustaining a knee injury. He was passionate about his time in the service and would’ve loved to have continued that career. Tony enjoyed fishing, hunting, and the outdoors. He loved reading westerns, watching movies, and listening to music. (He found great amusement in making up silly songs about the dog.) Tony enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his brother, Gary. Tony loved his family and he was always there for his children. Although he had his struggles, Tony never gave up. He is survived by his mother, Naomi Thomas of Lexington, Oklahoma; son, Zachery Thomas of Dallas, Texas; daughters, Casey Thomas of Purcell, Oklahoma and Tracy Thomas of Elmore City, Oklahoma; and their mother, Kimberly (Gowens) Thomas; brother, Danny Thomas of Ada, Oklahoma; sisters, Janet Thomas of Ada, Oklahoma, and Teresa Thomas of Wynnewood, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Hailey Partin, Tyler Partin, Jazmine Henderson, and Melody Couch.

Millard Lance Lemmings, of Stratford, Oklahoma, was born November 11, 1998, in Ada, Oklahoma, to Jody and Angela (Kile) Lemmings. He passed away January 22, 2024, at his home in Stratford, at the age of 25 years, one month and eleven days. Veterans Day ‘98, a true angel was welcomed into the world, known by most as Lance Lemmings. In his childhood, he went through much more than most adults could imagine when it comes to healthcare. Even through those hardships, many would describe him as a “tough lil’ man” because it never seemed to keep him from being a contagiously joyful soul. Everyone would agree that to know Lance is to love him. Though his physical body was quite limited, his spirit was anything but. You may have seen that he was not lacking in communication, and his feelings could be expressed through his piercing blue eyes, a soft chuckle, or heavy sigh. Lance enjoyed an array of activities such as Walmart runs, bird watching, and even going to the lake. Through all of life’s uncertainties, one thing we can know for sure is that Lance is now walking, running, dancing and rejoicing with our friend Jesus. The years we shared with Lance were miraculous and sweet, and he will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

Funeral services for Jackie LeAnn (Crawford) Rogers were held Wednesday, January 24, 2024, at the Midway Hill Baptist Church, in Davis, Oklahoma, with Pastor Willard McCartney, Jr. officiating. Interment followed at the Green Hill Cemetery in Davis. Jackie was born October 8, 1957, in Ardmore, to the late Edgar D. “Jack” and Selma (Pannell) Crawford. She passed from this life on Thursday, January 18, 2024, in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, at the age of 66 years. Jackie and John Wesley “Wes” Rogers, Jr. were married on June 14, 1982, in Gainesville, Texas. He preceded her in death on October 4, 2003. Jackie was a lifelong resident of Davis. After graduating from Davis High School, Class of 1975, she continued her education at the Southern Oklahoma Technology Center, where she earned her Licensed Practical Nursing certification. She spent the next few years working as an LPN at the Pauls Valley General Hospital, prior to being married and becoming a stay-at-home mom. It was during that time, she also worked at Falls Creek Baptist Assembly, cleaning cabins. In 2001, Jackie re-entered the nursing field and spent the next 22 years working at the Arbuckle Memorial Hospital, until she retired in March of 2023. She was a very caring individual and took her profession very serious. She had the ability to make each patient feel special and rendered the utmost care to each.

Gene Arlen Nolen, affectionately known as “Geno”, lived a wonderful and busy life. Gene was born July 3, 1940, in North Little Rock, Arkansas. He grew up in and around the North Little Rock area and was raised by his grandparents there with his aunts, uncle, and cousins. Growing up with Louie, Shirley, Glenda, Bobbie and Jerry were some of his fondest memories. Though he lived in numerous places throughout the years, he eventually settled in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma. He was a hardworking man, dedicated to his family and everything he did was for them. He was a decorated Army veteran and was extremely proud of serving as a helicopter door gunner in Vietnam. Gene was a magnetic force, people gravitated towards him, and he accepted and loved them all. He was compassionate, loving, caring, attentive and hilarious. If you were around Gene, you were guaranteed to laugh because he always had a great story for you. Gene had two great loves: his wife, Rhonda, and the game of golf. You would find him most days on the golf course swinging the club or fishing balls out of the pond with Rhonda, who was the best cart driver. He loved a bargain; he loved going to the swap meets to look around and search for that million-dollar treasure. He loved to listen to classic country music while refurbishing old golf clubs he had haggled someone out of. He loved his dog, Marlee, and would even FaceTime with her regularly while in the hospital.

Colley Wallace was born September 28, 1945, in Casa Grande, Arizona, and went to be with the Lord in Maysville, Oklahoma, on December 31, 2023. He was the oldest son of LD Wallace and Lavern Wallace. Colley’s parents followed and harvested fruits and vegetables and moved a lot while he was growing up. The family settled in Oklahoma close to the Maysville area around 1963. He cut broomcorn and worked farm fields for Lloyd Morphew for around 13 years during the summers and at the cotton gin in Wayne, Oklahoma, in the winter, Perfection Hy-test for 20 years, worked with a home builder company for a few years and then Millers Farm Store for about five years. He always had a large garden from a young age. He loved working his garden and gave a lot of it away to family and friends. People would get a variety of vegetables throughout the summer, but when corn was ready it had to all get harvested in a short amount of time. Chris and Sherry White with Justin, Chris and Darci, Marvin and Melanie Williams with Samiyah and lots of others every year would come to get it when it was time, and most would be back when cantaloupes and watermelons would be ready.

Connie Tyrone Mercer passed away peacefully at his home on January 4, 2024, after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on April 17, 1942, to Ishmael and Norene Mercer. Growing up, Connie attended Stratford High School in Stratford, Oklahoma. Later, he attended East Central University earning both a bachelor’s and master’s degree. He also served in the United States Army Reserves for seven years and was an ordained deacon at First Baptist Church in Stratford. On March 7, 1965, Connie married the love of his life, Billie Dean Walker of Pauls Valley, Oklahoma. They were married for more than 58 years. They made their home in Stratford and had three boys. Connie taught English and Speech at Stratford High School for 30 years before retiring. He loved his students and was known for his interesting storytelling in class. He enjoyed all sports and was the announcer for Stratford home football games for several years. He also coached youth basketball and track teams and chaperoned the Jr/Sr banquets. He was very active in his church and taught Sunday school for several years. Additionally, he served on the Corley Cemetery committee. When not teaching school, attending church or sporting events, you could find him on a tractor or working cattle. He loved being outside and working on the farm. In the summer, he and his boys would harvest and store hay for the winter. He was an honest, hardworking man with great integrity.

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Lowell Leslie Wood Jr, a remarkable individual who touched the lives of many with his kindness and selflessness. Leslie was a true embodiment of what it means to be a great guy, always going above and beyond to help others in any way he could. Leslie was born February 9, 1950, in Stratford, Oklahoma, to Lowell Leslie Wood Sr. and Susie (Hottel) Wood, the fourth of eight children. He passed away December 13, 2023, in Oklahoma City at age 73. Leslie graduated from Stratford High School with the class of 1968 and married Lana Turner in 1969. From this union they had two children, Dianne and Cody. In 2005 Leslie married Donna Walls and gained another son, Billy, and daughter, Kristin. He was preceded in death by his dad, Lowell, in 1992, his mom, Susie, in 2017 and his brother Gerald in 2022. Survivors include: his wife, Donna, of the home; daughter Dianne Mann and husband Shawn of Stratford; daughter Kristin Williams of Stratford; son Cody Wood and wife Becky of Stratford; son Billy Nix and wife Jessica of Arkansas; sisters Sue Brown and husband Don of Stratford; Nelda Lee and husband Jimmy of Stratford; Nancy Pike and husband Bud of Stratford; Debbie Korzan of Stratford; and Marsha Milligan and husband Lindell of Pernell; one brother Greg and wife Carolyn of Ardmore; 14 grandchildren and many cousins, nieces and nephews he loved very much.

Mark Eugene Riddle was born to Tony and Elizabeth Riddle on June 3, 1971, in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma. He passed from this life on December 27, 2023, at his home near Elmore City, Oklahoma. Mark lived the majority of his life in the Elmore City area. He attended Elmore City schools where he excelled in football, basketball, and having fun. He was mischievous and loved to tease and aggravate everyone. As a youngster, he was always on the move which led to many stitches, broken bones, and a couple of knocked out teeth. His passions were music, movies, fishing, and watching Cash play football and basketball. Mark was a loving individual. He had a quick wit, an infectious smile, and a twinkle in his eyes. Mark was a quiet man with a loving heart and a gentle soul. Mark is survived by his daughters, Kaitlyn and Bailey; his son, Cash; his granddaughter, Kinslee; his parents, Tony and Elizabeth; his brother, Stephen; his nephew and wife, Aubrey and Molly; his nieces, Emily and Valerie; his great-niece, Charlotte; special friend, Mandy Minton; his uncle and aunt, Gary and Patsy Damron; his aunts, Janet Damron and Kathy Webb; cousins, Siannah and Mustafa; special cousins and partners in crime, Bryan McNutt and Stephanie Upshaw; and a host of family and friends.